July 29, 2002 – Although homicides continue to escalate in the territory, Police Commissioner Franz Christian gave the Senate Finance Committee a generally optimistic overview of the Police Department at Monday's budget hearing.
There have been 23 killings in the Virgin Islands so far this year, versus 14 at this time last year and 11 the year before that. The territory had a per capita homicide rate five times the national average last year.
Christian did not touch on these matters, nor did any senators raise them. He did talk about the department's new ideas in policing. "The conventional approaches to policing are outmoded," he told the committee Monday, "and our focus is now incorporating the concepts that are making community-oriented policing a success across the nation."
"Forging meaningful partnerships with the residents of the neighborhoods that we have identified through the review of our statistical data will allow us to solve problems at a social level," Christian said. "This will be one of our strategies for proactive crime fighting."
And, he added,"In the next six months, you'll see a transition that you can't believe." He said a structure is being developed to transition the police force from a conventional vehicle patrol to more integration and direct involvement with the citizenry. The process will take two years, he said. And the department has a federal Community Oriented Policing grant to provide training for 72 police officers over a four-year period.
The Police Department regularly asks members of the community to come forward with information about crimes. If the public had supplied more leads, Christian told the senators, perhaps the search for Cpl. Wendell "Lazee" Williams, a St. Croix police officer who has been missing since June 2001, would be moving more rapidly.
In response to questions, Police Chief Novelle Francis and Christian said the investigation is ongoing. Francis said revealing details could tip off suspects, but he emphasized that progress is being made.
As with many other budget hearings, the budget ostensibly under review took up very little of the committee's time. Christian did not ask to raise the ante on the governor's recommended Fiscal Year 2003 budget total of $46 million – $37.5 from the General Fund and $8.5 from federal funds. That's $1.7 million, or 3.84 percent, over the FY 2002 revised budget of $44.3.
Christian said 94 percent of the department budget goes for salaries, with the balance going for operating expenses, equipment and supplies. He said the increase in this year's appropriation reflects salary increases for all employees. He said money is now available to hire a police psychologist as well as 24 new officers hired over the last two months.
The department has taken advantage of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's directive to re-hire retired police officers, Christian said, and has augmented the force with peace officers from other government agencies.
However, Christian said, "The problems that continuously plague the department are manpower and equipment shortages." Until the department attains "full authorized strength," he said, "we will be compelled to pay our overtime to … police officers." He attributed the need for overtime to court appearances, special initiatives, staff shortages, late cases, emergency responses and a host of other variables.
Motor Vehicle Bureau
The shortages aren't confined to operational divisions, Christian said; they exist in revenue-generating areas including the Motor Vehicle Bureau.
Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole seized upon this, calling MVB director Lawrence A. Olive to the well. Cole demanded to know why every time he goes to the MVB, he is accosted by angry residents awaiting attention in the lines there wanting to know what's wrong. Last week the MVB office on St. Thomas was closed for a day because the only two cashiers both called in sick — something Olive had acknowledged and explained on a radio call-in show.
Cole wanted to know where the appropriation the Legislature has given MVB has gone. Olive said the agency's computer software is 15 years old. "As we speak, the computers are down," Olive said. He said other employees cannot sit in for the cashiers because each cashier is bonded and has her own code to get into the computer. Cole said some portion of the estimated $8 million to $10 million in revenues taken in by the agency each year should be used to update the software.
Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel asked Christian about the department's communications equipment, citing a case on St. John where an officer lacked the necessary equipment to protect himself. Christian said $4.1 million is needed to meet communications equipment needs, and this requires a "different funding source."
He said the department "installed a new communication platform that was to bring forth new communications technology." However, Christian said, the process has encountered "unexpected difficulties."
Accomplishments and goals
Christian listed as department accomplishments in FY 2002 and goals for FY 2003:
– Continuing to remove illegal firearms and drugs from the streets.
– Having added an Office of Management and Information Systems to facilitate a fully integrated automated system. Two persons are assigned to the office; it will need more personnel, he said.
– Having purchased 29 new police vehicles.
– Plans to install security systems at the Alexander Farrelly Criminal Justice Complex on St. Thomas.
– Continuing with renovations of the Rainbow Complex and the Patrick Sweeney Police Headquarters on St. Croix to accommodate the MVB, internal affairs and investigation units, and a training academy.
– Continuing through the Sweeney headquarters to provide a community outreach center for domestic violence family counseling, an after-school enrichment center for at-risk children, a library facility and a computer literacy vocational training center for adults.
– Plans to renovate the marine unit facilities and repair marine vessels on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
– Plans to construct a canine kennel on St. Thomas and purchase two explosives-detection canines for the territory.
– Continuing to renovate the MVB facility on St. Thomas.
– Renovating the government complex on St. John and relocation of the MVB.
– Continuing to improve recruitment strategies. A train-the-trainer program is in place which sends personnel off-island for training the other officers.
– Plans to hire civilian personnel for understaffed support areas.
After having the entire department adequately staffed at all levels, state-of-the-art facilities, year-'round training and more career incentives, Christian said, two more goals are to hire communications technicians to eliminate the "exorbitant expenses" of hiring outside contractors, and to acquire a facility in Coral Bay on St. John.
Off the subject
The Police Department budget was scheduled for 10 a.m, with a Port Authority overview scheduled for noon. However, Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, the Finance Committee chair, kept Christian and other police officers in the chambers until about 2 p.m. as she went on a tirade about issues Sen. Celestino A. White Sr. had earlier addressed, matters having nothing to do with the Police Department budget.
Hansen and White were critical of Sen. Lorraine Berry's remarks on her Monday radio show about a meeting held last week on the Lovenlund project for middle income housing near Mahogany Run. Berry had called the meeting for residents and proponents of the project to air their views. (See the St. Thomas Source story "Two tiers and more of Lovenlund conflicts".)
Hansen made scathing remarks about Berry, mystifying some in the Senate chamb
ers who were there to hear the Police Department budget or were awaiting the VIPA budget overview.
Meantime, Gordon Finch, Port Authority executive director, and other VIPA officers sat in the chambers until Hansen finally told Finch that he could leave and return at 3 p.m. after a recess.
Committee members attending the hearing were Sens. Douglas Canton Jr., Cole, Carlton Dowe, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, Hansen, Jn Baptiste and Pickard-Samuel. Non-committee members present were Sena. Almando "Rocky" Liburd and White.

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July 29, 2002 – Although homicides continue to escalate in the territory, Police Commissioner Franz Christian gave the Senate Finance Committee a generally optimistic overview of the Police Department at Monday's budget hearing.
There have been 23 killings in the Virgin Islands so far this year, versus 14 at this time last year and 11 the year before that. The territory had a per capita homicide rate five times the national average last year.
Christian did not touch on these matters, nor did any senators raise them. He did talk about the department's new ideas in policing. "The conventional approaches to policing are outmoded," he told the committee Monday, "and our focus is now incorporating the concepts that are making community-oriented policing a success across the nation."
"Forging meaningful partnerships with the residents of the neighborhoods that we have identified through the review of our statistical data will allow us to solve problems at a social level," Christian said. "This will be one of our strategies for proactive crime fighting."
And, he added,"In the next six months, you'll see a transition that you can't believe." He said a structure is being developed to transition the police force from a conventional vehicle patrol to more integration and direct involvement with the citizenry. The process will take two years, he said. And the department has a federal Community Oriented Policing grant to provide training for 72 police officers over a four-year period.
The Police Department regularly asks members of the community to come forward with information about crimes. If the public had supplied more leads, Christian told the senators, perhaps the search for Cpl. Wendell "Lazee" Williams, a St. Croix police officer who has been missing since June 2001, would be moving more rapidly.
In response to questions, Police Chief Novelle Francis and Christian said the investigation is ongoing. Francis said revealing details could tip off suspects, but he emphasized that progress is being made.
As with many other budget hearings, the budget ostensibly under review took up very little of the committee's time. Christian did not ask to raise the ante on the governor's recommended Fiscal Year 2003 budget total of $46 million – $37.5 from the General Fund and $8.5 from federal funds. That's $1.7 million, or 3.84 percent, over the FY 2002 revised budget of $44.3.
Christian said 94 percent of the department budget goes for salaries, with the balance going for operating expenses, equipment and supplies. He said the increase in this year's appropriation reflects salary increases for all employees. He said money is now available to hire a police psychologist as well as 24 new officers hired over the last two months.
The department has taken advantage of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's directive to re-hire retired police officers, Christian said, and has augmented the force with peace officers from other government agencies.
However, Christian said, "The problems that continuously plague the department are manpower and equipment shortages." Until the department attains "full authorized strength," he said, "we will be compelled to pay our overtime to … police officers." He attributed the need for overtime to court appearances, special initiatives, staff shortages, late cases, emergency responses and a host of other variables.
Motor Vehicle Bureau
The shortages aren't confined to operational divisions, Christian said; they exist in revenue-generating areas including the Motor Vehicle Bureau.
Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole seized upon this, calling MVB director Lawrence A. Olive to the well. Cole demanded to know why every time he goes to the MVB, he is accosted by angry residents awaiting attention in the lines there wanting to know what's wrong. Last week the MVB office on St. Thomas was closed for a day because the only two cashiers both called in sick — something Olive had acknowledged and explained on a radio call-in show.
Cole wanted to know where the appropriation the Legislature has given MVB has gone. Olive said the agency's computer software is 15 years old. "As we speak, the computers are down," Olive said. He said other employees cannot sit in for the cashiers because each cashier is bonded and has her own code to get into the computer. Cole said some portion of the estimated $8 million to $10 million in revenues taken in by the agency each year should be used to update the software.
Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel asked Christian about the department's communications equipment, citing a case on St. John where an officer lacked the necessary equipment to protect himself. Christian said $4.1 million is needed to meet communications equipment needs, and this requires a "different funding source."
He said the department "installed a new communication platform that was to bring forth new communications technology." However, Christian said, the process has encountered "unexpected difficulties."
Accomplishments and goals
Christian listed as department accomplishments in FY 2002 and goals for FY 2003:
– Continuing to remove illegal firearms and drugs from the streets.
– Having added an Office of Management and Information Systems to facilitate a fully integrated automated system. Two persons are assigned to the office; it will need more personnel, he said.
– Having purchased 29 new police vehicles.
– Plans to install security systems at the Alexander Farrelly Criminal Justice Complex on St. Thomas.
– Continuing with renovations of the Rainbow Complex and the Patrick Sweeney Police Headquarters on St. Croix to accommodate the MVB, internal affairs and investigation units, and a training academy.
– Continuing through the Sweeney headquarters to provide a community outreach center for domestic violence family counseling, an after-school enrichment center for at-risk children, a library facility and a computer literacy vocational training center for adults.
– Plans to renovate the marine unit facilities and repair marine vessels on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
– Plans to construct a canine kennel on St. Thomas and purchase two explosives-detection canines for the territory.
– Continuing to renovate the MVB facility on St. Thomas.
– Renovating the government complex on St. John and relocation of the MVB.
– Continuing to improve recruitment strategies. A train-the-trainer program is in place which sends personnel off-island for training the other officers.
– Plans to hire civilian personnel for understaffed support areas.
After having the entire department adequately staffed at all levels, state-of-the-art facilities, year-'round training and more career incentives, Christian said, two more goals are to hire communications technicians to eliminate the "exorbitant expenses" of hiring outside contractors, and to acquire a facility in Coral Bay on St. John.
Off the subject
The Police Department budget was scheduled for 10 a.m, with a Port Authority overview scheduled for noon. However, Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, the Finance Committee chair, kept Christian and other police officers in the chambers until about 2 p.m. as she went on a tirade about issues Sen. Celestino A. White Sr. had earlier addressed, matters having nothing to do with the Police Department budget.
Hansen and White were critical of Sen. Lorraine Berry's remarks on her Monday radio show about a meeting held last week on the Lovenlund project for middle income housing near Mahogany Run. Berry had called the meeting for residents and proponents of the project to air their views. (See "Two tiers and more of Lovenlund conflicts".)
Hansen made scathing remarks about Berry, mystifying some in the Senate chambers who were there to hear t
he Police Department budget or were awaiting the VIPA budget overview.
Meantime, Gordon Finch, Port Authority executive director, and other VIPA officers sat in the chambers until Hansen finally told Finch that he could leave and return at 3 p.m. after a recess.
Committee members attending the hearing were Sens. Douglas Canton Jr., Cole, Carlton Dowe, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, Hansen, Jn Baptiste and Pickard-Samuel. Non-committee members present were Sena. Almando "Rocky" Liburd and White.

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July 29, 2002 – Concerned merchants and other business owners getting ready to initiate a community crime watch program in Frederiksted cited the need for a stronger police presence and better street lighting at a meeting Sunday with police officials, and they got pledges of support in return.
St. Croix Alive hosted the meeting at Pier 69 to solicit input and assistance from the Police Department toward curtailing crime that group members said is affecting the town's economy. Last spring, Carnival Cruise Lines took St. Croix off the itinerary for two large ships that had been calling semiweekly year 'round at Frederiksted, citing crime against passengers and crew as the reason.
Simone Palmer of Sand Castle on the Beach, an intimate beach resort south of the fish market, said business has been extremely slow in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the mainland. She said she would like to be able to ensure that Frederiksted is safe for her guests.
"I think we are off to a very good start," Palmer said, referring to Sunday's meeting. "People are coming together to make positive steps to the crime solution. Certainly, a lot of items would need our help."
She said Police Commissioner Franz Christian has pledged to increase police patrols along the road that leads to her resort and the Vincent Mason Pool Recreational Facility, among other properties.
Christian told the gathering that he is pleased with the additional officers who have just graduated from the V.I. police academy and that another class will begin soon.
Two months ago, Police Chief Novelle Francis said at a meeting with Tourism officials that a grant had been received to purchase surveillance cameras to be mounted on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. Christian said the waterfront surveillance project should begin this week, and that he would ask Francis to assign a patrol car exclusively to Frederiksted in the evenings.
Also discussed were the need for street lighting in what are now dark areas, bicycle licensing and safety, and the enforcement of loitering laws. Christian and Gregory Francis, St. Croix administrator, said they will work with the Water and Power Authority and the Housing, Parks and Recreation Department to review lighting needs. WAPA officials have said they cannot expand street lighting until the government provides the money for doing so.
Anyone aware of an area that needs street lighting is asked to call the FEDA office at 719-6025.
Cpl. Sheila Middleton of the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Program offered suggestions to the group.
Unise Tranberg, business owner and president of the Frederiksted Economic Development Association, said afterward that it was "a great meeting." She added, "It was a good turnout, and I met some new business owners. That means everyone is interested in making a change in this community."
Tranberg said that Dodson James, assistant commissioner of Housing Parks and Recreation, said he would rally public housing residents to join in community watch programs. The future of Housing Authority Police operations are uncertain because of the impending loss of federal funding.
Palmer said on Monday, "We need to bring back the good times. We are looking to have things turn around."

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July 29 – Weeks after averting a financial crisis that threatened to close its doors, Family Resource Center leaders painted an optimistic picture of the not-for-profit crisis intervention and referral agency at its annual meeting Saturday.
Joining supporters, board member and staff members at the meeting at Palms Court Harborview were Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, Delegate Donna M. Christensen and Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen. All three politicians pledged their support for the agency that is best known in the community for helping victims of domestic violence.
Many of those present were supporters and volunteers who came to the aid of the agency when word went out about its dire financial straits earlier this year. Michal Rhymer, executive director, called the gathering "a very special annual meeting."
Its theme was "Community Partnerships: Making a Difference at Family Resource Center." Rhymer said it was a fitting focus, because of the role businesses and private donors played in April after the board announced that day-to-day operations were being severely hampered by government budget cuts. Through individual efforts, board members raised $40,000 in emergency funds with the help of private donors, including those who made out-of-pocket cash contributions.. Others wanting to help responded by volunteering their services, Rhymer said.
"With the tragic prevalence of domestic violence and other social ills that plague the Virgin Islands, it is necessary for all of us to reach out and offer a hand of help and support," Christensen told the gathering. "Not everyone has done their part. But you, the members of the FRC, and your supporters and partners have. And we applaud you — particularly those of you who have devoted your lives to helping others, giving of your time, talent and treasure to this important cause, often without recognition, and sometimes even disparaged for your efforts."
Christensen, the keynote speaker, had hopeful news as well, sharing information on several new federal and corporate grant opportunities. Rhymer said the delegate flew in from Washington, D.C., for the meeting, and "brought some very good information … about the federal grants that are available to our agency," as well recommending some private foundations to approach for funding.
The governor told the group he would do whatever was necessary to make sure the center has sufficient funding in Fiscal Year 2003, in order to avoid a repeat of 2002, in which the requested funding level was drastically cut. The governor's proposed FY 2003 budget requests are being reviewed in public hearings before the Senate Finance Committee, which Hansen chairs.
Hansen, too, "committed herself," Rhymer said, "and she said she believed she would have the support of her colleagues to not give Family Resource Center one penny less than we were granted this year."
At a special session in May, the Legislature approved a $100,000 supplemental appropriation for the agency. For Fiscal Year 2002, its V.I. government funding had been slashed to $60,000 from $150,000 through a series of budget cuts. (See "Family Resource Center 'can't do more with less'".)

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Dear Source,
As have many other people in recent days, the members of the Adolph Gereau family would like to pay their respects to the memory of Ariel Melchior Sr. My grandfather and Ariel Melchior met each other about 85 years ago – first as a hardworking, odd-jobbing street urchin who lived back of town with his mother from Anguilla, and then again as a very diligent young printer's apprentice.
When the newspaper and print shop closed, Ariel turned to a number of relatives and town businessmen without success. He then made an approach to my grandfather. At the time many people were unemployed or living on casual labor, hand to mouth. More people were giving up and moving to the United States than were staying. My grandfather found in Ariel someone else who preferred staying and felt the islands might have a great future.
Rather than put up his own money and run the risk of bad feelings, my grandfather cosigned a loan for the equivalent of three weeks of his income. With this Ariel paid a Puerto Rican printer to publish a brochure that he sold to tourists. With the money he made he bought a used press in Puerto Rico. As the print shop and newspaper took off, the bank excused grandfather from the guarantee.
Most people would say that with the risk of the loan discharged they had completed their own personal obligation. Instead, Ariel never let a major project occur in our family without giving us moral support, advice or financial assistance. Grandfather also worked part-time for the newspaper. When I asked why each anniversary issue of the newspaper included a tribute to my grandfather, I was told that it saved him from moving to the States. He would probably have succeeded anywhere.
Thank you, Ariel; we will miss you.
I would also like to salute Izzy, while he is still alive, for what he meant to my grandfather.
Richard Bond
and the Adolph Gereau Family
St. Croix
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.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

Dear Source,
As have many other people in recent days, the members of the Adolph Gereau family would like to pay their respects to the memory of Ariel Melchior Sr. My grandfather and Ariel Melchior met each other about 85 years ago – first as a hardworking, odd-jobbing street urchin who lived back of town with his mother from Anguilla, and then again as a very diligent young printer's apprentice.
When the newspaper and print shop closed, Ariel turned to a number of relatives and town businessmen without success. He then made an approach to my grandfather. At the time many people were unemployed or living on casual labor, hand to mouth. More people were giving up and moving to the United States than were staying. My grandfather found in Ariel someone else who preferred staying and felt the islands might have a great future.
Rather than put up his own money and run the risk of bad feelings, my grandfather cosigned a loan for the equivalent of three weeks of his income. With this Ariel paid a Puerto Rican printer to publish a brochure that he sold to tourists. With the money he made he bought a used press in Puerto Rico. As the print shop and newspaper took off, the bank excused grandfather from the guarantee.
Most people would say that with the risk of the loan discharged they had completed their own personal obligation. Instead, Ariel never let a major project occur in our family without giving us moral support, advice or financial assistance. Grandfather also worked part-time for the newspaper. When I asked why each anniversary issue of the newspaper included a tribute to my grandfather, I was told that it saved him from moving to the States. He would probably have succeeded anywhere.
Thank you, Ariel; we will miss you.
I would also like to salute Izzy, while he is still alive, for what he meant to my grandfather.
Richard Bond
and the Adolph Gereau Family
St. Croix
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.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

Dear Source,
As have many other people in recent days, the members of the Adolph Gereau family would like to pay their respects to the memory of Ariel Melchior Sr. My grandfather and Ariel Melchior met each other about 85 years ago – first as a hardworking, odd-jobbing street urchin who lived back of town with his mother from Anguilla, and then again as a very diligent young printer's apprentice.
When the newspaper and print shop closed, Ariel turned to a number of relatives and town businessmen without success. He then made an approach to my grandfather. At the time many people were unemployed or living on casual labor, hand to mouth. More people were giving up and moving to the United States than were staying. My grandfather found in Ariel someone else who preferred staying and felt the islands might have a great future.
Rather than put up his own money and run the risk of bad feelings, my grandfather cosigned a loan for the equivalent of three weeks of his income. With this Ariel paid a Puerto Rican printer to publish a brochure that he sold to tourists. With the money he made he bought a used press in Puerto Rico. As the print shop and newspaper took off, the bank excused grandfather from the guarantee.
Most people would say that with the risk of the loan discharged they had completed their own personal obligation. Instead, Ariel never let a major project occur in our family without giving us moral support, advice or financial assistance. Grandfather also worked part-time for the newspaper. When I asked why each anniversary issue of the newspaper included a tribute to my grandfather, I was told that it saved him from moving to the States. He would probably have succeeded anywhere.
Thank you, Ariel; we will miss you.
I would also like to salute Izzy, while he is still alive, for what he meant to my grandfather.
Richard Bond
and the Adolph Gereau Family
St. Croix
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.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

July 29, 2002 – Autopsy results are expected to be released Tuesday as investigators try to figure out how a man died on July 20 after struggling with security officers aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Adventure of the Seas.
The autopsy was done last week on O'Neil Persaud, 31, described by police as a native of Guyana who was carrying a Canadian passport when he died. But police have not yet stated the cause of death, saying investigators are still working on the case.
According to cruise ship officials, Persaud died after being in a fight with ship's security personnel who discovered him aboard the vessel illegally. Police said they were told that the security officers had placed Persaud in a holding cell, but he became violent and they had to restrain him.
A medical officer tranquilized Persaud during the struggle, and he died sometime thereafter, Sgt. Annette Raimer, police spokeswoman, said. Local detectives, FBI agents and cruise line investigators began looking into the death immediately, according to Royal Caribbean International spokeswoman Lynn Martenstein.
Raimer said on Monday that the autopsy results would be available Tuesday. Detectives are still working on the case, which so far has been classified only as a "DOA" — dead on arrival, she said.
Investigators believe Persaud was vacationing on Sint Maarten when, for unknown reasons, he boarded the ship on July 19 with a man and woman who were taking a cruise, Raimer said. The ship's last port of call before reaching St. Thomas was Sint Maarten.
Police have video surveillance tapes of Persaud boarding the Adventure of the Seas with the couple, Raimer said, but it is not known how he eluded security to remain on board when the ship left the port. The initial police accounts of Persaud's death described him as a stowaway.
It was at about noon on the next day that police on St. Thomas were called to respond to a death aboard the ship, according to police records.
There were bruises on Persaud's face and body, Deputy Police Chief Theodore Carty said, but initial reports from the ship's personnel were that Persaud was beating himself and may have tried to commit suicide.
Acquaintances of Persaud have sent e-mails to the Source describing Persaud as a businessman with Canadian citizenship. They said he would have no reason to stow away aboard the ship and questioned the information initially published concerning the manner of his death.

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Today is the last day to register to vote for those who wish to vote in primary elections, and also the last day for changes of enrollment of political party and cancellation of party enrollment.
See the Elections calendar in Data section for other important days regarding candidacy, voting machines and elections,

Dear Source,
Presence.
Commanding yet quiet. Smooth charismatic Presence. Ariel Melchior Sr. was always there.
And now, Absence.
Mindful of his endearing spirit of counsel, what do you say about an icon that stood for words – those written, spoken and held close to heart? All such words in some way or another have been said over the last few days since his passing. Cliché-ish or not.
Senior (as he was known by some of us) used to say, "Never create a void you can't fill." But, wouldn't you know it: Today we indeed feel that very void.
And the very Absence of Senior's Presence will forever be felt in our hearts, minds and soul of the Virgin Islands that he so craftily helped to mold into a modern-day society.
A statesman's statesman. A governor's governor. The consummate watchman that reports the "out of ordinary." The Publisher who had his community's interest always at heart.
That The Daily News, in his typical vision and imagination, remains as bold as it is today, in itself speaks to the monument of a hardened legacy of world-class community journalism and political steerage from the power of the pen. After all, Senior also reminded us in the newsroom that we were writing history, as the "newspaper of record."
And so it was. So it is.
On a personal note: I thank Senior for my first job, The Daily News' 45th Anniversary project, and his continued guidance and encouragement to successfully pursue journalism, or as he called it – newspapering. I thank him for showing me the ropes in photography, printing and "reportage." Thank you for opening my mind and doors of opportunity. Thank you, Senior, for a long friendship.
Senior, go in peace with that warming chuckle and wide smile. Heaven needs a good newspaper. Carter is ready to roll. Save a column for me.
Steve Bornn
Washington, D.C. and St. Thomas
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.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.