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St. Croix Avis does not have a website, but you can contact them stxavis@viaccess.net or fax 340-773-5511 |
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Some History in the US Virgin Islands
Bull and Bread Day
Nov 1st 2000
This title, among others, is attributed to a celebration held every November 1st in Grove Place, St. Croix and this year 2000 was no different. Music, people and food filled the area with free bull/beef and bread traditionally given to the people. Find out more about Bull and Bread Day and what this day has to do with freedom.
World’s Largest Ship Visits the Virgin Islands
Nov 1st 2000
The world's largest and newest ship , “Royal Caribbean's 'Explorer of the Seas'" visited St. Thomas Nov 1st 2000. This maiden voyage is the beginning of its' weekly visits. The ship carries 3,114 passengers and 1,15 crew members. This ship so large that it even house a skating rink, among other things. . Preparation of the St. Thomas harbor has been taking place over a period of time to dredge the sea floor for huge ships.
Southern Energy and V.I. Government Partnership
August 12, 2000
After four days of presentations during the hearings, on Saturday morning, 4:26 a.m. the senators in the V.I. Legislature voted 9 to 6 against a partnership between Southern Energy (owning 80%) and V.I. Government (owning 20%) to own the Water And Power Authority.
Daily New Celebrates!
August 1, 2000
The Daily News -St. Thomas paper celebrated seventy years since the newspaper was first printed on August 1, 1930. The newspaper earned the highest honor in journalism on April 18, 1995 - A Pulitzer Prize.
Delta Dorsch Honored
July 26, 2000
One of the Virgin Islands' great storytellers Mrs. Delta Jackson Dorsch was honored by The Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage Institute at our newly renovated Government House in Christiansted St. Croix. She just finished a video and booklet titled, "The Role of the Storyteller in the Preservation of the Virgin Islands Culture." The purpose of the project was to recreate and preserve the art of story telling and to enhance understanding and appreciation of the storyteller's role and cultural contributions. A copy of the video and booklet will be in each school.
Sell, Buy or Partnership with Virgin Islands' WAPA
May 1, 2000
Southern Energy Inc. has set out a proposal whereby they will own eighty percent of Water And Power Authority and the Virgin Islands Government retains twenty percent. The Virgin Islands now owns WAPA. This issue has cause much controversy in the Virgin Islands of pros and cons of the partnership. You be the judge by looking at the final proposal.
Governor Roy Schneider Makes a Deal
March 23, 2000
Fourteen counts (see February 15, 2000) of embezzlement, fraud and falsifying documents against former Governor Schneider and three top officials of his administration: Alvin Battiste, Dean Wallace and Maureen Bryan were dismissed by Judge Ive Swan . The judge dismissed the charges "with prejudice" which means that the case against the defendants can not be reopened. The two parties V. I. Government and Schneider agreed to settle out of court. The settlement was agreed to under a territorial law that allows the defendants to be fined for the amount they are alleged to have illegally paid out.
March 14, 2000
Divi Carina Bay Casino Celebration
On Tuesday, March 14, 2000 the Virgin Islands’ dignitaries and guest attended a grand ribbon cutting ceremony to open its first casino at the Divi Carina Bay Casino in St. Croix Virgin Islands. See Casino for more information.
No Grease in the Virgin Islands.
February 24, 2000
During this week Virgin Islander's in the islands were bombarded by calls from Virgin Islanders' and others on the continental United States about the news that a radio station owned by Jonathan K. Cohen, planned to hire radio disk jockey Doug Tracht "Greaseman." This announcement in the states led to protest from the Virgin Islands community. It was reported that Tracht was fired from his one million dollars a year job in Washington DC on another radio station for making racist remarks. The uproar in the community was so intense that the manager of the station in St. Croix Virgin Islands rescinded his offer to hire Tracht.
February 18, 2000
Virgin Islands finally on the Map!
The VI Department of Education Map Committee, after many years of hard work, has put the Virgin Islands on the Map. Today they unveiled the new "Middle America" map by the George F. Kram Company which now features the U.S. Virgin Islands clearly marked on the map - not as a dot. The maps are frequently used in classrooms. The committee members were Commissioner Ruby Simmonds, Leona Wheatley, Erma Sewer, Delta Dorsch and Violet Bough. Each member was honored as "Torch Bearers" and presented with globes with inscribed bases thanking them for their efforts. This is definitely a great accomplishment for the Virgin Islands.
February 15, 2000
Former Governor Investigated
Former Governor Roy L. Schneider is charged with 14 counts of conspiracy and embezzlement consisting of more than $60,000 in government funds by Attorney General Iver Stridiron. Schneider was charged with three of his high ranking members of his administration: Alvin Battiste, former director of Budget and Financial Management for the Office of the Governor, Maureen Bryan, former executive assistant to the Governor and Dean Wallace, former acting commissioner of the Department of Finance. It is alleged that following Hurricane Marilyn in 1995, Schnieder approved the use of $67,076.48 of government funds to pay for hotel room charges at Marriott Frenchman's Reef Resort ins St. Thomas for several individuals who were not considered government employees. The payments were made to the hotel to pay for the expenses of some of his friends and others. The hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2000 in Territorial Court.
February 13, 2000
It's the Law!
Automobile insurance is mandatory in the Virgin Islands.
January 10, 2000
Governor Charles Turnbull ask Beal to come back to the territory.
Last week Beal decided to give up on St. Croix. They will find residence for their rocket assembly plant somewhere else. On January 10, 2000 the Governor in his State of the Territory Address, stated that he had called Beal headquarters in Texas on Saturday to ask them to reconsider, however on Monday, Beal said, "No." The Governor stated that, "Their decision to go elsewhere, in the face of narrowly-based opposition, should be a lesson to all of us. If we are serious about wanting new investments in these islands, we must work harder to welcome and encourage potential investors and avoid setting up unnecessary barriers to development. In short, we must become more "investor-friendly "if we are to compete successfully in the new global economy." He felt that having Beal was a great opportunity for St. Croix and it was now lost.
December 22, 1999
Judge Andrew Jr. rules on Beal Deal - it isn't real.
Beal Aerospace Technologies who planned to build a rock assembly plant on Camp Arawak at Great Pond Bay was squashed by Judge Andrew Jr. He ruled that the land (14.5 acres) agreement to exchange land between the Virgin Islands government and Beal was illegal since the property is a charitable trust (in 1974) and cannot be transferred to a private company. This issue has been very controversial for many months. A lawsuit was filed by Senator Alicia Hansen and nineteen other St. Croix resident to block the deal. In addition the Judge ordered the government to develop a plan to improve Camp Arawak to use it as a beach, park and recreational facility. Beal's officials are planning to appeal the ruling.
December 16, 1999
Continental Airlines Returns to the Virgin Islands
Continental Airlines Flight 326 flew into Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas after four years of absence. Passengers were greeted by acting Tourism Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge, Lt. Governor Gerard Luz James and V.I. Port Authority Executive Director Gordon Finch. In 1995 after Hurricane Marilyn the airline had ceased operation in St. Croix and St. Thomas. Welcome back, Continental!
V.I. Water and Power Authority for Sale
Governor Charles Turnbull has stated that Southern Energy Inc. has presented a proposal to the V. I. government to acquire a major interest in the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA). He has directed a task force to evaluate to look into the offer. Arthur Downing, chairman of WAPA board and panel has reviewed the proposal and recommends it. Part of the proposal is to reorganize and restructure WAPA into two separate companies. However, there is much controversy on the talk shows of pro and con. Time will tell!
Other Happenings
The Port Authority for the the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix have been working a $40 million face lift, since 1997. The airport is being renovated and expanded. Tentative date for completion was December 1999, however they are still working on it. Some of the set backs have been due to our hurricanes. Next target date is the east wing February 2000 and and the rest by the end of the year 2000.