Not For Profit: St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce on St. Johnby Lynda Lohr
Kate Norfleet April 14, 2008 -- While there's always been a St. John in the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce, St. John residents recently organized their own chapter. "The benefit is more business for St. John businesses and a better understanding of what the business climate is and how things happen in it," Kate Norfleet, owner of Kate N Design said. Norfleet is a member of the St. Thomas/St. John chamber board of directors and a moving force in getting the St. John chapter organized. Rent a villa on St. John from www.stjohnvillarental.com, the place where the best vacation villa rentals are located. She said that in addition to herself, Fraser Drummond, Jose Penn, Debbie Hime, and Andrew Rutnik got the chapter underway about nine months ago. Norfleet said that www.frankbayvillas is a great place for villas on St John USVI, while there has been "up and down" participation from St. John businesses over the years, the growth in St. John's business community calls for the development of its own chapter. Norfleet said that while St. John business owners are "wonderfully independent," the connection to the St. Thomas business community can only help. She said that St. John needs its own chamber chapter because the island's issues are different than those on St. Thomas. The chamber has put tourism high on its list of issues. "It's about developing a more welcoming experience," Hime, who is working on the chamber's tourism initiative, said. For example, Hime said she regularly sees tourists who are unsure about which way to go when they get off the ferry. Hime said the chamber is discussing solutions that may call for a large map of Cruz Bay, a booklet that provides information about what to do on St. John or even hiring greeters for St. John and Red Hook, St. Thomas. Other projects on the front burner include public safety, and Norfleet said a committee is working with the Police Department and a security company to evaluate the situation with surveillance cameras. She said the St. John chapter is also working on health issues, including the Star of Life Ambulance boat, and has put education on its list of issues that need to be addressed. And she said the chamber is working in concert with the Tourism Department and V.I. National Park. The chamber wants to improve membership and let businesses know about its benefits. Norfleet said there are currently 41 members and that while active participation is always good, just joining helps. "It gives your business a voice," she said. She said membership provides networking opportunities for businesses as well as social opportunities. For example, she said the Chamber of Commerce is honoring Stanley Selengut, owner of Maho Bay Camps and other St. John properties, at its annual dinner dance on May 31 at St. Peter Greathouse. She said Selengut will get the Bill LaMotta award for his outstanding contribution to improving the quality of life on St. John. Norfleet said that the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce website gets many hits from people who are looking to start businesses on St. John and from those who are planning vacations and looking for reassurance that a business is legitimate. Norfleet said this is especially important with vacation villas. The St. John chapter meets for an hour at 5:30 p.m. every third Thursday at St. Ursula's Multipurpose Center. Call Norfleet at 693-9099.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
My My My, Why, Why, Why
Try to be Sly
My oh My,
Do not Cry,
Eat a Pie.
It is Neat,
Take a Seat,
Quite a Feat,
What a Treat.
My oh My,
Do not Cry,
Eat a Pie.
It is Neat,
Take a Seat,
Quite a Feat,
What a Treat.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
News from The Source today
This was in The Source today. About the constitutional convention. Nothing at all in it about renting villas on st john for your vacation. www.stjohnvillarental.com would be the proper website, as would be www.frankbayvillas.com, but they werent mentioned. Anyway, this news was about the virgin islands, not just st john.
Property-Tax Debate Continues at Constitutional Convention Hearingby Barbara Birt
Hiram Rasool Abiff argues for independence from the United States. April 11, 2008 -- A room full of constitutional convention delegates, flanked by four members of the public, heard testimony Friday about native rights and taxation during a public hearing by the Committee on Taxation, Finance and Commerce. The committee is one of 12 participating in the Fifth Constitutional Convention, which is charged with having a draft constitution for the Virgin Islands prepared by July 27, although delegates predicted that that date will be revisited. Once a draft is approved, it goes to the governor, then Congress, then the president for review, and if approved, it's returned to the territory for a vote later this year. Concerns raised during a public hearing held by the same committee Thursday on St. John were echoed Friday evening as speaker after speaker railed against a proposed new tax structure for the territory, which arose out of a federal mandate to reevaluate property based on 2006 fair market values. Detractors argued that the new system holds such dramatic tax increases for St. John that it could drive residents from their homes. "We need help now ... immediate attention," said delegate Wilma Marsh Monsanto. "We cannot wait for a constitution. We are treated so unfairly on St. John -- a 300-percent increase! It's just not right. The reassessment needs to be thrown out the window, and it needs to be reconsidered." Gentrification was blamed for driving up values, and many testified that native-born Virgin Islanders deserve redress. "I don't believe native-born Virgin Islanders should pay property tax," said delegate Michael Thurland. "I think we have certain generational rights as those sons and daughters of slaves. We have not been repaid." Testifying as a member of the public, Hiram Rasool Abiff suggested that the delegates need to use this convention as an opportunity to examine independence from the United States. "Why should we not build on the foundation of the people who struggled before us?" Abiff said. "(Independence) has to be an option, it has to be on the table. America did it. And they say we have to follow the constitution. They made one that suited the needs of America, and that's what this constitution should do, is suit the needs of the Virgin Islands. You have to give the people who struggled a little more than the people who benefited from the struggle." Some people testifying Friday pointed to what they called inequities in property taxes, including dispensations granted to large tract holders and corporations such as the Hovensa refinery on St. Croix, which Abiff said pays $1 a year for what he described as "prime" real estate. Tax breaks afforded certain businesses through the Economic Development Commission (EDC) were also questioned. "I think we ought to take a look at the real benefits of the EDC program," said delegate Thomas Moore. "How is it working out? Are we really gaining from it, or not? It seems to me that's something, as a taxation committee, we ought to be taking a look at." Moore, a former territorial judge, argued for instilling equity in the territory's taxation system by replacing property taxes with income taxes. "I think it's within our power to make it clear that the Virgin Islands legislature has the authority to set income taxes, and they can be made much more equitable, more fair for everyone," he said. While Moore argued that his proposal has legal standing, one delegate urged his colleagues to keep in mind that any document they produce must not go against the tenets of the U.S. constitution or it will be rejected when it reaches Washington. "I'm asking us to make sure during this whole process, that we keep in mind our goal, that it will pass Congress and be accepted ... otherwise we have failed in our mission," said Francis Jackson, an attorney. His appeal prompted a passionate reply from delegate Thurland. "Mahatma Gandhi made a statement when he was fighting to get Great Britain out of his place in India," Thurland told the group. "He said, 'I welcome all cultures to be blown throughout my house, but I refuse to be blown off my feet by any,' and that's where I stand."
Property-Tax Debate Continues at Constitutional Convention Hearingby Barbara Birt
Hiram Rasool Abiff argues for independence from the United States. April 11, 2008 -- A room full of constitutional convention delegates, flanked by four members of the public, heard testimony Friday about native rights and taxation during a public hearing by the Committee on Taxation, Finance and Commerce. The committee is one of 12 participating in the Fifth Constitutional Convention, which is charged with having a draft constitution for the Virgin Islands prepared by July 27, although delegates predicted that that date will be revisited. Once a draft is approved, it goes to the governor, then Congress, then the president for review, and if approved, it's returned to the territory for a vote later this year. Concerns raised during a public hearing held by the same committee Thursday on St. John were echoed Friday evening as speaker after speaker railed against a proposed new tax structure for the territory, which arose out of a federal mandate to reevaluate property based on 2006 fair market values. Detractors argued that the new system holds such dramatic tax increases for St. John that it could drive residents from their homes. "We need help now ... immediate attention," said delegate Wilma Marsh Monsanto. "We cannot wait for a constitution. We are treated so unfairly on St. John -- a 300-percent increase! It's just not right. The reassessment needs to be thrown out the window, and it needs to be reconsidered." Gentrification was blamed for driving up values, and many testified that native-born Virgin Islanders deserve redress. "I don't believe native-born Virgin Islanders should pay property tax," said delegate Michael Thurland. "I think we have certain generational rights as those sons and daughters of slaves. We have not been repaid." Testifying as a member of the public, Hiram Rasool Abiff suggested that the delegates need to use this convention as an opportunity to examine independence from the United States. "Why should we not build on the foundation of the people who struggled before us?" Abiff said. "(Independence) has to be an option, it has to be on the table. America did it. And they say we have to follow the constitution. They made one that suited the needs of America, and that's what this constitution should do, is suit the needs of the Virgin Islands. You have to give the people who struggled a little more than the people who benefited from the struggle." Some people testifying Friday pointed to what they called inequities in property taxes, including dispensations granted to large tract holders and corporations such as the Hovensa refinery on St. Croix, which Abiff said pays $1 a year for what he described as "prime" real estate. Tax breaks afforded certain businesses through the Economic Development Commission (EDC) were also questioned. "I think we ought to take a look at the real benefits of the EDC program," said delegate Thomas Moore. "How is it working out? Are we really gaining from it, or not? It seems to me that's something, as a taxation committee, we ought to be taking a look at." Moore, a former territorial judge, argued for instilling equity in the territory's taxation system by replacing property taxes with income taxes. "I think it's within our power to make it clear that the Virgin Islands legislature has the authority to set income taxes, and they can be made much more equitable, more fair for everyone," he said. While Moore argued that his proposal has legal standing, one delegate urged his colleagues to keep in mind that any document they produce must not go against the tenets of the U.S. constitution or it will be rejected when it reaches Washington. "I'm asking us to make sure during this whole process, that we keep in mind our goal, that it will pass Congress and be accepted ... otherwise we have failed in our mission," said Francis Jackson, an attorney. His appeal prompted a passionate reply from delegate Thurland. "Mahatma Gandhi made a statement when he was fighting to get Great Britain out of his place in India," Thurland told the group. "He said, 'I welcome all cultures to be blown throughout my house, but I refuse to be blown off my feet by any,' and that's where I stand."
Friday, April 11, 2008
This poor little blog at the bottom
Being the last blog gets you very little attention. Especially today. No mention of anything.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Hurricane Article From The Source
If you are planning on a st john villa rental in hurricane system, something from www.stjohnvillarental.com, you should make sure that you are aware of possible storms. And the same goes for www.frankbayvillas.com.
Here is the article from The Source today.
Forecast Calls for Very Active Hurricane Season by Lynda Lohr
April 9, 2008 -- Look for a hurricane season well above average, said hurricane forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University Wednesday. The team anticipates 15 named storms will form in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30. They predict eight will become hurricanes. Of those eight, four are expected to develop into intense or major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111 mph or more. "We are calling for a very active hurricane season this year, but not as active as the 2004 and 2005 seasons," Klotzbach said in a news release. Long-term averages stand at 9.6 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes per year. The hurricane forecast team predicts tropical cyclone activity in 2008 will be 160 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2005, the year of 28 record-breaking named storms and 15 hurricanes, witnessed tropical cyclone activity that was about 275 percent of the average season. "Current oceanic and atmospheric trends indicate that we will likely have an active Atlantic basin hurricane season," Gray said. This is Gray's 25th year forecasting hurricanes at Colorado State University. Jacqueline Heyliger, deputy director at the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, said that residents should be prepared for disasters year round because earthquakes, tsunamis and other disasters can hit at any time. However, she said that with the start of hurricane season coming fast, residents should get ready. "Start trimming your bushes and securing your roof," she said. She said that residents should also make sure their hurricane shutters are in good repair and their generators are in good working order. The team said that current conditions in the Atlantic basin are quite favorable for an active hurricane season. The current sea surface temperature pattern in the Atlantic -- prevalent in most years since 1995 -- is a pattern typically observed before very active seasons. Also, a weak Azores high will likely promote weaker-than-normal trade winds over the next few months. This will enhance warm sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic. Additionally, the team expects neutral or weak La Nina conditions in the tropical Pacific, which, combined with predicted warmth in the north and tropical Atlantic, is a recipe for enhanced Atlantic basin hurricane activity. These factors are similar to conditions that occurred during the 1950, 1989, 1999, and 2000 seasons. The average of these four seasons had well above-average activity, and Klotzbach and Gray predict the 2008 season will have activity in line with the average of these four years. The team also predicted above-average major hurricane landfall risk in the Caribbean. They do not put a percentage on this prediction. Klotzbach said that based on the latest forecast, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69 percent compared with the 20th-century average of 52 percent. They predict a 45 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida peninsula. The long-term average is 31 percent. And they forecast a 44 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville. The long-term average is 30 percent. "The United States was quite fortunate over the last two years in that we had only one hurricane landfall -- Humberto in 2007," Klotzbach said. "None of the four major hurricanes that formed in 2006 and 2007 made U.S. landfall." The Colorado State hurricane forecast team cautioned against reading too much into the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 when the Florida and Gulf coasts were ravaged by four hurricanes that made landfall each year. Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne caused devastating damage in 2004 followed by Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005. "The activity of these two years was unusual, but within the natural bounds of hurricane variation," Gray said. The hurricane team's forecasts are based on the premise that global oceanic and atmospheric conditions -such as El Nino, sea surface temperatures and sea level pressures that preceded active or inactive hurricane seasons in the past provide meaningful information about similar trends in future seasons. The team will issue seasonal updates of its 2008 Atlantic basin hurricane activity forecast on June 3, Aug. 5, Sept. 2 and Oct. 1. The August, September and October forecasts will include separate forecasts for each of those months.
Here is the article from The Source today.
Forecast Calls for Very Active Hurricane Season by Lynda Lohr
April 9, 2008 -- Look for a hurricane season well above average, said hurricane forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University Wednesday. The team anticipates 15 named storms will form in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30. They predict eight will become hurricanes. Of those eight, four are expected to develop into intense or major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111 mph or more. "We are calling for a very active hurricane season this year, but not as active as the 2004 and 2005 seasons," Klotzbach said in a news release. Long-term averages stand at 9.6 named storms, 5.9 hurricanes and 2.3 intense hurricanes per year. The hurricane forecast team predicts tropical cyclone activity in 2008 will be 160 percent of the average season. By comparison, 2005, the year of 28 record-breaking named storms and 15 hurricanes, witnessed tropical cyclone activity that was about 275 percent of the average season. "Current oceanic and atmospheric trends indicate that we will likely have an active Atlantic basin hurricane season," Gray said. This is Gray's 25th year forecasting hurricanes at Colorado State University. Jacqueline Heyliger, deputy director at the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, said that residents should be prepared for disasters year round because earthquakes, tsunamis and other disasters can hit at any time. However, she said that with the start of hurricane season coming fast, residents should get ready. "Start trimming your bushes and securing your roof," she said. She said that residents should also make sure their hurricane shutters are in good repair and their generators are in good working order. The team said that current conditions in the Atlantic basin are quite favorable for an active hurricane season. The current sea surface temperature pattern in the Atlantic -- prevalent in most years since 1995 -- is a pattern typically observed before very active seasons. Also, a weak Azores high will likely promote weaker-than-normal trade winds over the next few months. This will enhance warm sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic. Additionally, the team expects neutral or weak La Nina conditions in the tropical Pacific, which, combined with predicted warmth in the north and tropical Atlantic, is a recipe for enhanced Atlantic basin hurricane activity. These factors are similar to conditions that occurred during the 1950, 1989, 1999, and 2000 seasons. The average of these four seasons had well above-average activity, and Klotzbach and Gray predict the 2008 season will have activity in line with the average of these four years. The team also predicted above-average major hurricane landfall risk in the Caribbean. They do not put a percentage on this prediction. Klotzbach said that based on the latest forecast, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69 percent compared with the 20th-century average of 52 percent. They predict a 45 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida peninsula. The long-term average is 31 percent. And they forecast a 44 percent chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville. The long-term average is 30 percent. "The United States was quite fortunate over the last two years in that we had only one hurricane landfall -- Humberto in 2007," Klotzbach said. "None of the four major hurricanes that formed in 2006 and 2007 made U.S. landfall." The Colorado State hurricane forecast team cautioned against reading too much into the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 when the Florida and Gulf coasts were ravaged by four hurricanes that made landfall each year. Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne caused devastating damage in 2004 followed by Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005. "The activity of these two years was unusual, but within the natural bounds of hurricane variation," Gray said. The hurricane team's forecasts are based on the premise that global oceanic and atmospheric conditions -such as El Nino, sea surface temperatures and sea level pressures that preceded active or inactive hurricane seasons in the past provide meaningful information about similar trends in future seasons. The team will issue seasonal updates of its 2008 Atlantic basin hurricane activity forecast on June 3, Aug. 5, Sept. 2 and Oct. 1. The August, September and October forecasts will include separate forecasts for each of those months.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Last but not least
This is the last blog for me to post in today, so I won't mention google at all. I be those little google bots will find this and think it is about st john us virgin islands. No website mention today, but if you need a vacation here, this would be a good place to come to. Sunny today, so I will probably just do villa rental stuff and not bother with anything else.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
News about a race on St. Croix - From The Source
From St. John Source newspaper this morning.
Theresa Harper, Bob Halk Top Winners in West is Best Raceby Carol Buchanan
Top winners Theresa Harper and Bob Halk congratulate each other. April 7, 2008 -- West is Best, the second race of St. Croix's Triathlon Series, took place under clear, blue skies in Frederiksted Sunday morning, with a strong breeze keeping it from getting too hot for the racers. "It was a beautiful day for a race," said racer Donna Duffy. "I would have loved to watch it." Close to 80 participated in either the triathlon sprint, Try-A- Tri, or the team relay. The triathlon consisted of an 11.5-mile bike, three-mile run and 800-yard swim. The Try-A-Tri is a 400-yard swim, six-mile bike and 1.5-mile run. Bob Halk, in his 11th West is Best, took overall first for men. He competes in the 30 to 39 age group. Halk, who had been a competitive collegiate swimmer, makes time in the swimming leg of the race. ( Click for rest of article )
A D V E R T I S I N G : "I am really happy with my performance," Halk said. "I got an early lead in swimming." Halk described the course as flat and fast. His time was 1 hour, 4 minutes, 36 seconds. Theresa Harper, who took first for women, said West is Best is not a particularly good course for her because it is too flat -- she is strong on the hills. The first 10 minutes are easy, and the next 55 are challenging, she said. "The race was a lot of fun, with a lot of women in the field who are pretty competitive," Harper said. "I was happy the police were so supportive and they did a good job at the intersections." Harper's time was 2:13:32. Dewayne Smith, who placed first in the East End Triathlon in March, came in second. "It wasn't my best race, but this is a tune up for the long-haul endurance of the Iron Man," Smith said. The winners in the relay team were Lauren Harcrow, Dick Isherwood and Julie Eckard with a time of 1:10:59. In the under-20 age group, Will Piel came in first. Piel said his run was good and he did well swimming, but he didn't like the turnaround and speed bumps in the bike race. The race is sponsored by Project St. Croix. The winners got $25 gift certificates to Stamina Sports, and relay winners each got $10 certificates. The remaining races in the series are: -- May 4: St. Croix Ironman 70.3 and Sprint, Christiansted; -- Sept. 21: Toyota Wall2Wall, Cane Bay; -- Oct. 5: Stamina Sports Duathlon, Cramers Park; and -- Nov. 16: Caribbean Classic, Buccaneer. For more information about the races call 773-8456. Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
Theresa Harper, Bob Halk Top Winners in West is Best Raceby Carol Buchanan
Top winners Theresa Harper and Bob Halk congratulate each other. April 7, 2008 -- West is Best, the second race of St. Croix's Triathlon Series, took place under clear, blue skies in Frederiksted Sunday morning, with a strong breeze keeping it from getting too hot for the racers. "It was a beautiful day for a race," said racer Donna Duffy. "I would have loved to watch it." Close to 80 participated in either the triathlon sprint, Try-A- Tri, or the team relay. The triathlon consisted of an 11.5-mile bike, three-mile run and 800-yard swim. The Try-A-Tri is a 400-yard swim, six-mile bike and 1.5-mile run. Bob Halk, in his 11th West is Best, took overall first for men. He competes in the 30 to 39 age group. Halk, who had been a competitive collegiate swimmer, makes time in the swimming leg of the race. ( Click for rest of article )
A D V E R T I S I N G : "I am really happy with my performance," Halk said. "I got an early lead in swimming." Halk described the course as flat and fast. His time was 1 hour, 4 minutes, 36 seconds. Theresa Harper, who took first for women, said West is Best is not a particularly good course for her because it is too flat -- she is strong on the hills. The first 10 minutes are easy, and the next 55 are challenging, she said. "The race was a lot of fun, with a lot of women in the field who are pretty competitive," Harper said. "I was happy the police were so supportive and they did a good job at the intersections." Harper's time was 2:13:32. Dewayne Smith, who placed first in the East End Triathlon in March, came in second. "It wasn't my best race, but this is a tune up for the long-haul endurance of the Iron Man," Smith said. The winners in the relay team were Lauren Harcrow, Dick Isherwood and Julie Eckard with a time of 1:10:59. In the under-20 age group, Will Piel came in first. Piel said his run was good and he did well swimming, but he didn't like the turnaround and speed bumps in the bike race. The race is sponsored by Project St. Croix. The winners got $25 gift certificates to Stamina Sports, and relay winners each got $10 certificates. The remaining races in the series are: -- May 4: St. Croix Ironman 70.3 and Sprint, Christiansted; -- Sept. 21: Toyota Wall2Wall, Cane Bay; -- Oct. 5: Stamina Sports Duathlon, Cramers Park; and -- Nov. 16: Caribbean Classic, Buccaneer. For more information about the races call 773-8456. Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
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