Editor's note: This is a copy sent to the Source of another letter sent to the governor regarding the rezoning of Botany Bay.
Dear Source,
I write as an interested party who has spent many days on Botany Bay looking at its inherent beauty and historical remains and being stirred by its inherent mystery and brooding qualities. I fished from its rocks and feared the pounding of the surf and deep waters around it. Because of its powerful draw, I lived through (and ignored) the melee of the Rastafarians harassing anyone foolish enough to descend to the beach since they were "farming" there.
My sons were born on St. Thomas and it will be their loss and all Virgin Islanders' loss and the shame of your administration if you do not exercise the power of the veto that was given to you by the voters of the Virgin Islands and force reconsideration of this legislatively killing blow to the history, heritage and integrity of the people past and present of St. Thomas. That there is no apparent "silver" involved in this decision on the part of the Legislature is at best confusing and at worst damning and a testament to the senators' shortsightedness.
To replace a site that is irreplaceable by encouraging the creation of a swimming pool and bar or worse is unthinkable and leads me to think that those involved have not even visited this strange and almost haunted place where almost certainly a past that we all need to learn from and respect is evident. Will ground zero ever be paved over and replaced by an entertainment center and forgotten? You all know the answer is "no." At Botany Bay, the idea of insult to those who went before us and left their mark for good and bad is as relevant as the thought of ignoring the murder of those innocent souls.
We all need to see, remember and learn from the historical evidence of the successes, mistakes and cruelties of our past, lest we be condemned to repeat them.
Ron Budsan
Pensacola, Fla.
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
