Dear Source:
I did how ever say, that the common people of St. croix need to share the profits from the cruse boats that are coming here, i did say that there are elements that need to go, not only when the cruise boats are here but permanently, if anyone cares to look at what has happened in the past fredricksted will put on a facade when the boats come, the average person in f sted will not be able to bank or use the ATMs or drive on the roads, there will be a shortage of supplies for those of us who live here and the goods will cost more because of that shortage. we will be inedated by duty free stores who will not spend the money they make here, yes we will put on a good show, the mockojumbies will dance and the steel drums will play, the ladies will dress up in there finest, and the resulting zoo will be amusing, but where are the beds to house people? this is how we will make a real gain overall is to have those who visit us on cruise ships want to come back, we need them to book 10 day stays at our hotels and resorts, we need them to spend there initial investment of there vacation with us and not some major cruise ship company. if the average person visiting for one day on the Disney cruise spends $100 on food and $100 on souvenirs and we have to give Disney $25 for the meal and $25 for the gifts how long will it take us to recoup the expenditures? if 2500 people get off the boat and spend $200 each of witch we get $150 before we pay for our goods or products to sell or cook we may actually get $100 and given that = $25,000 they spend will go mostly to the shop owners and restaurants who is paying for the police? Who is paying for cleaning up the streets, who is paying those who perform? Over all what I said was meant to be a caution we should profit from this not loose.
now that's what I said and I stand by it. There is only one St Croix and we should learn from the mistakes of St. Thomas, so we can preserve our way of life and our island can be exactly what it is the show place of cruisan culture, last of its kind and completely unique.
Paul Vrabcak
Fredriksted, St. Croix
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