EFTA01070323.pdf

ONE DOLLAR www.virginislandsdailynews.com We Virgin Islands llll 5 DAILY NEWS A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper • • • • 1 ! I • secret Ingrealem is v.i. pride Havensight merchants warn 30% are on brink Longer slow season, construction, competition hurting stores Page 3 Scouts return from national Jamboree Page 2 For Eagle, quitting was not an option ,r Page 2 Edwards Ors,. news Pnoio b, JASCN BRONIS Vendors display their products during the first Virgin Fresh Value Added Market Day on Saturday at Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agriculture Complex on St. Croix. The event showcased vendors who use locally grown food in their products. Page 5 3 million $53 million Vietnam war hero Umpire, owner and player hear pope jewelry Col. Bud Day dies at 88 inducted into in Rio heist Page 28 Was McCain's ceilmate Page 27 Cooperstown hall Page 61 Pages 20-21 r www.facebook.com/virginislandsdailynews Mi Banco Online MI Popular Pay-by-Phone. okilpr;I U,' SWOOP iP0144.41e. Vjsit popular:comb/I Orgall.1,088.724.3659 iikrarlii44itefierik EFTA01070323  2 The Virgin Islands Daily NeWS VIR.CD4 ISLANDS Miinday, July 29, 2013 Scouts represent V.I. at national Jamboree By JOY BLACKBURN. .. • Daily News Staff, . ..• r.--i 'ST. CROIX — Some 25 local Boy ScritiN; It was really cool because we all fresh from the National Scout Jamboree, learned teamwork. We had some arrived at St. Croix's Rohlsen Airport Friday afternoon. problems at first, but then we "Our scouts, they participated. They made got more comfortable working friends. We had a good time," said Chris Brooks, the scoutmaster for the confingeortfiat together, working as a team. • went to the jamboree. "Where there were chal- — Marcus Norkaits, 14, patrol leader lenges tokbe met, we met them head-on" ,.. . . . . . "Ilte.frtt-oay Natio Scout Jamboree, which d: wi getting up on time daily, gatmg tneu mean C theliloy:iSe46tikA etRielYjilailly.holds prepared, and cleaning up. The hot, humid everyffikeyearst tens of tboUtands of weather in West Virginia was also a challenge, scouts, volmiteers, and staff from all over the as was thesize of the new site for the jamboree, country,. ,, according to Brooks. TN)vrpsthp get yearthejambraree was held The new reserve is so large, the group some- at dicncut,Surerdit.Bechteltimily National times had to walk tor more than an hour to get _ Seoul Reserve in-West Virginia's New River to an activity, he said. Gorge area, which will now be the permanent V.I. Boy-Scouts arrive Friday at Rotten Airport on St. Croix after spending 10 days at the National Because the 35 scouts who were part of the home frig the national jamboree. The reserve Stiout Jamboree in West Meginia. • group included scouts from St. Thomas, St. . encompomsPs 10,600 acres.. • . r . Croix and Washington D.C., who did not neces- 'Mostly it was good;" Philip Edwards, 16, it was his firstnational jamboree. teamwork," Norkaitis said. "We had some sarily know each other, one of the challenges the senior patrol leader for the Virgin Islands "1think it was a very productive jamboree. It problems at fast, but then we got more com- was getting them to work together, Brooks said. group, said:of the experience. was a wonderful experience," he said. "It was a fortable waling together, working as a team." Making the scouts from different areas into a Edwaids said a number ofstorma. and some historical experience." The 25 scouts from the territory included cohesive group that worked well together was lightening cancelled a few activities, including Norkaitis said it was historical because it was boys from I I to 17 years old from both island one of the major challenges, according to some zip line adventures the group had sched- the first national jamboree at the new reserve. districts. They joined up with 10 scouts from Brooks. uled — but he described it as a "great trip" that For years, the national jamboree had been held the District of Columbia for the jamboree, "In doing that, they made friends for life," he scouts enjoyed anyway. at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. Brooks said. The Virgin Islands District is part said. "All in all, our scouts came back with a ; "I think they learned how to deal with disap- The group also learned to work together, he of the National Capitol Area Council in D.C., sense of accomplishment, a sense of friendship, pointment," he said. said. *Brooks said. and a sense of being able to safely do whatever - Marcus NOEICNIN; 14 and a patrol leader, said "It was really cool because we all learned Among the challenges the scouts faced was task they were asked to do." lvldLLIievv LUVVCII uo °Lanai/co %AA-MAIM IV 0 ladrthact. rank RAni•annisio CrititinrAn Cr^. it; nree e A"; ca I no I Ilyl I il. I %Al in. • By JOY BLACKBURN • which are specifically required, and interest for awhile when he got into 'lobe willing to put yourselfout there, Daily News Staff successfully complete a community. high school. do something you're not comfortable , • related service project, the press release But when he became a senior, he doing, it's fulfilling." ST: CRODC — Local Boy Scout said. decided to complete what he started Matthew is home-schooled and his • Matthew Edwards recently earned the Matthew's project involved a major and earn the rank ofEagle, he said. immediate plan after graduation is to highest advancement award the Boy cleanup at Buck Island ReefNational "1 wanted to bow the accomplish- participate in a five-month discipleship Scouts ofAmerica offer, becoming an Monument ment of finishing it," he said, adding training school with a focus on worship Eagle Scout "I worked with the National Park that he also felt like it was a family and music, through Youth With a "We're delighted. We are very Service and I coordinated and then expectation. Mission, according .to the press proud of him;" said Dale Edwards, helped them carry out a coastline/trail Sohc plunged back into it. release. Matthew's father, onFriday as he and cleanup on Buck Island," Matthew "I think it definitely gave me a lot of He will be recognized as an Eagle. Matthew's mother, Lori Edwards, said. The cleanup occurred as Buck perseverance and pushing through," he Scout in a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. waited for other sons to return from Island ReefNational Monument was said "A lot ofit was a lot ofpapawork Friday at the Howard M. Wall Scout the National Scout Jamboree. "He celebrating its 50th anniversary. and organizing." worked very hard for it" Matthew, who has a brother who is Matthew said that becoming an Matthew Edwards is the I Ith scout Oily 4 percent of all Boy Scouts already an Eagle Scout and two other Eagle Scout required diligence and to become an Eagle Scout in Troop become Eagle Siouis, according to a brothers who are working toward dedication —but it was worth it. 227, which was chartered by Country release about Matthewattaining attaining the Eagle rank, said he has His advice for others who would like Day School: efte Eagle rank been involved in scouting since he was to become Eagle Scouts? — Context reporter Joy Blackburn To become an Eagle Scout, a candi- little, and he assumed he would become "Just not to give up because it's at 714.9145 or email date has to earn 21 merit badges,11 of in Eagle Scout • although he lost worth it once you've done it," he said. jblackburn®drilynews.vi. 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THOMAS -- For merchants at Havensight mall, it's summer time, but the living is anything but easy. After being granted six months of free rent by the mall's owner, the Govemnient Employees Retirement System. many said this has been the worst off-season they have experienced. They cited a perfect storm of prolonged road construction in front of the mall, fewer cruise ships docking in St. Thomas Harbor, competition from Crown Bay mer- chants and skyrocketing utility costs. When the GERS board voted to relieve.the tenants of rent obliga- tions from July I to Dec. 31, they. did so because tenants had accumu- Daly News File Photo lated a delinquency of more than Havensight Mall merchants say because of the ongoing Long Bay road $2 million and reported that they project, rising V.I. Water and Power Authority bills and other issues that they could no longer sustain the cost of have had their worst off-season ever. The Government Employees Retirement doing business. The board dis- System, the mall's owner, has granted the merchants six months of free rent cussed the closure of Dockside to help them repay $2 million in overdue rent. Bookshop, which has announced that it will close within the next two weeks after 35 years in Gi business. GERS Administrator Austin We were almost closing down. There was no way we Nibbs presented the board with two could survive. We are extremely grateful for the options: forego rent for six months altogether with the stipulation that abatement. tt will be a big help. tenants pay all arrearages by April — Sonny Panjabi, 1 or give tenants a 25 percent jewelry store owner reduction in rent over the next 24 months. The board decided the six month abatement, which would six-month abatement would be the $2,000 during the slow season, when cost GERS a little more than $3 "springboard" Havensight mer- hours of operation arc cut back, he million, would be the most feasible chants need to recover. If not, about said. way to give tenants a chance to pay • 30 percent of the association's mem- "We were almost closing down. the $2 million in back rent owed. bership had reported that they would There was no way we could survive. "I don't like this rent abatement, go under this year or the next, he We are extremely grateful for the but if we want to continue to have said. abatement. It will be a big help," he tenants, we arc going to have to "The mall has been hurting since said. help them," Nibbs said. Crown Bay opened. We lost about Since the recession hit, travelers At the meeting, some board 500,000 passengers because of that," "seem to spend all their money on members were under the impres- Mirpuri said. He added that the larg- the trip itself, and they come with sion that another Havensight busi- er Carnival cruise ships, the Oasis of less disposable income," according ness,'an office supply store called the Seas and the Allure of the Seas, to Jerry Woodhouse, president of St. The Draughting Shaft, was also dock at Crown Bay, where the har- John's Bay Rum, a fragrance compa- scheduled to close, but, according bor can support them. ny that supplies other Havensight to. The Draughting Shaft owner, Projections arc that, with more stores and has offices behind the Icily Robinson, that was never the cruise ships scheduled through mall. case. • Daly Neon Fk mow 2014, businesses on the brink of clo- Woodhouse also said that in the Nevertheless, Robinson said, he Docks-de Bookshop n Havensight Mall is scheduled to close within the next. sure might be able to use the abate- last decadehotels, which used to pro- has had discussions with GERS two weeks after 35 years in business. ment to get through to a break- vide transportation to shopping dis- board members and attended meet- through season in the winter of tricts, have shifted to providing as ings to inform them of the adverse "Many of our customers arc locals anything quite like the last six 2014, Mirpuri said. many amenities as possible to guests conditions that had caused him to and residents, and many have called months. Other merchants said their WAPA and have limited the excursions to Tall behind in his rent. and said they just don't want to come "I remember in the 80s the slow bills had tripled or quadrupled since beaches rather than shopping Robinson said his business, unlike in because they don't want to deal season was only three months, now they opened, leaving them to won- districts. many of the boutiques and stores that with, it," Robinson said of the con- it is a full six months," Ram Mirpuri, • der if an abatement would be enough "They want to grab as much reve- cater primarily to tourists, had been struction. president of the Havensight to counter the rising rates. nue as possible per customer while unduly hit by prolonged construc- Robinson is among a number of Merchants Association said. "WAPA is killing us," Sonny they are staying at the hotel," tion, with orange barricades diverting long-time Havensight merchants who Mirpuri's son, Minoj Mirpuri, owns Panjabi, owner of the Casa Blanca Woodhouse said. • traffic into and out of the mall's park- say they have been in business for Bliss Jewelers. jewelry store, said. Utility bills total — ContactAn:arkNorr rot 714-9104 ing lots. decades but never had to weather Ram Mirpuri said he hoped the $3,000 during the busy season, and or emailartirkqda1plevismi EFTA01070325 4 The Virgin. Islan*Dally News VIRQIN, ISLANDS Monday, July 29, 201Z Tiny boats, big speeds A driver uses a controller to navigate the • DAN News Photos br JASON (IRONS Bethlehem Pond course. tt racer launches his radio•controlled boat off a dock at Bethlehem Pond during 6C boat races Satufday on St. Croix The boats sped around the pond at speeds upwards of 50 mph during two days of racing. CNEN Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner lam - I 2om 714-4694 Coll for Doily Specials I.ccated caoss ØFed Christ;on Porting Id, mono Normal lNity, Tim-Gs A radio-controlled boat goes airborne before flipping over. Radio controlled boats race around the course on Saturday. SEALY, SERTA, SIMMONDS, The Standard Largest Showroom in st The Virgin islands TEMPURPEDIC & all major brand names available at SBS GROUP in Business Services MATTRESS ONE #1 Mattres Superstore: 10,000 sq It Mainland Prices 0% In-House A panner you can bank on. Increase Productivity, see possibilities. Financing available 744$ 74 ,?ret a/ tom r 14/ 4414 payroll I accounts receivable I accounts payable I financials planning I analysis • Up to 60 months Across from Nisky Center, St. Thomas MONDAY-SATURDAY 9-8 PM • SUNDAY 11-8 PM • 775-2100 • FOUR WINDS PLAZA, St THOMAS 340-774-7727 • www.sbsgroup.us EFTA01070326 Monday,,.iulq 29;2013' Vikanklgaikijig • V.I. government agencies defend budget requests By AMANDA NORRIS cal 2013 budget, the bureau elimi- Public Services Commission enues from fiscal 2013 are $384,630, and to enhance computer data analy- Daily News Staff nated two General Fund positions: according to Joseph's testimony. sis programs for the Economic an executive assistant and motor Public Services Commission It is anticipated that in fiscal 2014, Development Commission and the St THOMAS — Last week, the vehicle inspector, according to Executive Director Keithley Joseph the commission will collect a total of lending divisions, according to Senate Finance Committee heard tes- Browpe's testimony. testified that it is the commission's $1,620,739 from the V.I. Water and Clouden's testimony. timony on fiscal yeary2014 budgets The fiscal 2014 operating budget mission's goal to move from being a Power Authority; VITELCO, During fiscal 2013, the authority from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, contains money for 52 positions, "government organization that is reac- Innovative Cable, Varlack Ventures, received S2 million in grants from the Public Services Commission and and to further meet fiscal obliga- tive to a proactive public policy mak- Transportation Services and the V.1. the United States Department of the V.I. Economic Development tions, the bureau intends to leave ing agency with results-based Waste Management Authority, accord- Commerce Economic Development Authority. unfilled two more General Fund management" ing to testimony. Administration to assist small and positions, according to Browne's The Public Services Commission is A total of$1,081.113 will go toward mid-size businesses in the territory. Bureau of Motor Vehicles testimony. primarily funded through assessments "personal services and fringes," The authotity also relocated its offic- Bureau of Motor Vehicles Director A critical hiring plan leaves room levied on the utilities it regulates. according to testimony. es on St. Thomas, realizing a 20 per- Terris Browne defended a General for five vacant positions to be filled, Joseph testified that the fiscal 2014 cent savings rental costs, 48 percent Fund appropriation of S1,642,010 as however, Browne testified. budget request from the V.I. govern- V.I. Economic in utilities and 15 percent in other sufficient to meet the bureau's The bureau's accomplishments ment for the commission would be Development Authority related expenses, Clouden said. needs. The request is a 5 percent for fiscal 2013 include: completing $1,620,740. This represents an Also during fiscal 2013, the decrease, or $86,422, less than the a REAL ID card concept design increase of $57,373, or 3.54 percent, V.I. Economic Development authority realized a 4 percent increase 2013 appropriation which allow for forensic analysis from its fiscal 2013 revenursassess- Authority Chief Executive Officer in collations and saw a 37 percent Eighty-eight percent will go and provides specialized identifica- meat of $1,563,367. Pursuant to Percival Clouden requested a General decrease in the number of delinquent toward personnel services and fringe tions to government employees; Virgin Islands Code establishing the Fund appropriation of $5,043,274. borrowers due to enhanced litigation benefits, and the budget will be sup- integratting facial recognition soft- commission and stipulating that it be This amount represents an increase efforts, Clouden said. plemented by a projected income of ware, providing 24 hour access to 100 percent funded by fees levied to of $325,574, or 6.9 percent over the To date, the authority has approved S I million from the bureau's revolv- the BMV database for law enforce- the utilities it regulates, the commis- fiscal 2013 appropriation. $692,606 in new 2013 loans and col- ing funds and another $643,854 ment, installing additional security sion's budget request reflects what it According to Clouden, the addi- lected $842,224 in outstanding from the personalized license plate cameras and completing two grant needs to maintain operations while it tional money is needed to match fed- accounts. The number of delinquent fund, for a total operating budget of packages for Division of Higheay collects outstanding assessment from eral funds for a small business incu- borrowers stands at 242, for a total of $3,285,864. Safety awards totalling 5730,000 to communications, water and electric, bator program, to institute a more $7,470,534, according to Clouden's To meet fiscal constraints imposed be used to fund the motorcycle safe- and public transportation companies, aggressive marketing strategy for the testimony. by the governor's 5 percent cuts to ty education program and to accom- Joseph said. Economic 'Development —Corttai Amendallonis at 7149104 most departments to balance the fis- modate online vehicle registration. The commission's uncollected rev- Commission's tax incentive program or email [email protected]. gland Crafted There'sa new option for treating uterine fibroids. ISILVEle Swiss 'Timepieces It's non-surgical and doesn't require a hospital stay. It's uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) performed by St. Thomas Radiology Associates. CORNER! A. Lange & Sohne Baum: & Mercier • Btancpain Learn more at www.radiology.vi or call 774-0265 for a consultation. Bvlgari • Breguet Exclusive 925 Cartier • Chanel • Ebel St.Thomas Radiology Associates Glashune • Gucci • 1WC Paragon Medical Building suite 103 ST. THOMAS Designer Jewelry Longines • Movado -r St.Thomas, USVI RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATES Panerai • Phillip Stein • Piaget Roger Dubuis • lisp' Summer sole by '9/2_ Going COUTURE On Howl Its All About Comfort & Fit! Le Mystore largest Selection of torimor, If the Best is Hibiscus, Ball, West Indian Bangles, What you Want, Visit Sernifrecious Stones and Amber Set in Sterling Silrer! ROYAL (beck out our Stainless CARIBBEAN Steel Jewelry Too! Main Street, Havensight Mall & Mon - Sat 10-6:30 340.715.7297 Lotted Inside Drakes Passage, St. Thomas Crown Bay • St. Thomas Q East End Galleria. Red Hook. St Thomas (340) 774-0854 Contact Us At: (340) 776.4110 EFTA01070327 6 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Monday, July 29, 2013 HOVENSA cuts price Made and grown in the V.I. for regular by 4 cents Daily News staff Independent gas ST. CROIX After two wet station operators in of significant increases in wholesale gasoline prices in the territory, some the territory now are of the prices slipped slightly down- paying $3.45 per gallon ward today as HOVENSA adjusted its rack rates. for regular gasoline The changes lowered the rack rates — the price of fuel purchased ' The rack rates influence retail wholesale at the HOVENSA truck- gasoline prices in the territory loading station on St. Croix — for because independent gas station regular gasoline by 4 cents per gal- operators can buy their gasoline at lon and for premium gasoline by a the loading station, then resell it to penny per gallon, while diesel fire) their customers. The new rates are increased by 4 cents per gallon. effective through Sunday. Under today's adjustments, inde- On the retail side, average retail pendent gas station operators in the gasoline prices in the U.S. on territory now are paying 53.45 per Thursday were also slightly down gallon for regular gasoline, $3.79 from a week ago, according to the per gallon for premium gasoline, American Automobile Association. and S3.57 per gallon for diesel fuel The average retail gasoline price when they buy their firel wholesale - in the U.S. on Thursday was 53648- at HOVENSA. Those prices include per gallon for regular, 53.976 per Daly flows Roos by JASON MONIS the 14-celiac-per-gallon tax that the gallon for premium, and 53.883 per Shoppers browse vendors' tables refinery collects for the gallon for diesel fuel, according to during the first Virgin Fresh Value government. AAA. Added Market Day on Saturday at the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agriculture Complex on St. Croix. I The event showcased vendors who use locally grown food to produce processed or packaged items. Items for sale included jams, jellies, hot sauce, dressings. seasonings, fruit juices, smoothies Natural Health and mead wine. Food Mart Foods made with local mangoes are displayed. Full Line of Organic Products ell Bloo S Pr ssure Medicaid reimbursements to increase w Daily News Staff ST. CROIX — The V.l. Human