Sonia Leona Smith, of Estate Richmond, passed away on Feb. 27. She was 83 years old.
Sonia Leona Smith
She was preceded in death by her mother, Augustina Grant; father, James Scott; sisters, Nedra Grant, Rachael Isaac; brothers, Randolph Scott, Wendell Grant; and grandchild, Kemo Holder.
She is survived by her husband, Cecil Smith, Sr.; daughters, Margaret “Peggy” Thomas, Darlene Thomas, Janice Holder-Navarro, Reeshemah Smith; sons, Father Delroy Thomas-Scott, Eugene Thomas, Jeffrey “Tweety”,Ruthan “Azibu”, and Rodney Holder, Cecil “Kebo” Smith, Jr.; son-in-law, Mike Navarro; daughters-in-law, Anja & Brieanna Holder; sister, Adele Grant; brothers, Sheldon Grant, Rupert Isaac; grandchildren, Tywon, Rashida, Ezekiel, Jeffrey Jr., LaTysha, Shanice, K’Lan, Tehvin, Jason (Amanda), Amari (Hannah), Armand, Racyne, Jesenia, Dominic, Javon, Felicity, Jaheem, Aishia, Mateek, and Nadira; great-grandchildren, Y’mani, Le’Siah, Jeremiah, Jordan, J’Aiden, Ja’lah, Anaylse, Jamarion, and Jayceon; great-great- grandchildren, Adrian Apollo, Xavier; nieces, Allyson (Daryl), Agatha (Steve), Beatrice, Desiree (Hakim), Jasheba, Janiah, Jaliyah, and Emma Elisa; nephews, Derek, Sheldon Jr., Husani, Danladi, Jelani, Jumani, Jedidiah, Jedaiah, Jeshua, Judiah, and Jakeem; cousins and other relatives, The Grant Family, The Isaac Family, The Hoyer Family, The Sealey Family; special friends, Blondie Lawrence, Ethien Derricks, Debbie Chinnery, Ms. Modeste, Donna Watts, Holy Cross Family, others too numerous to mention but forever a part of her life and legacy; special thanks to, Nedra Encarnacion, Rena Thomas, Egbert Thomas III, Derisse Baker, James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.; pallbearers, Tywon Thomas, Mateek Holmes, Jason Roberts, Eugene Thomas, Rodney Holder, Ruthan Holder; honorary pallbearer, Cecil Smith, Sr., Cecil Smith, Jr., Jeffrey Holder, Amari Navarro, Mike Navarro, Armand Navarro.
Funeral arrangements will be held on Feb. 24 at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Viewing begins at 9 am, with service at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at Kingshill Cemetery (Veterans’ Section).
Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
The Virgin Islands Children’s Museum is excited to announce the upcoming Teen Time Game Night, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the museum located in Buccaneer Mall, St. Thomas.
Backgammon is serious fun at the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum. (Submitted photo)
Teen Time Game Night is a highly anticipated event that offers teenagers aged 13 and above, along with their adult caregivers, an exciting evening of games, food, and fun in a safe and inclusive space at no cost to participants. Attendees can look forward to interactive games, traditional games such as dominoes and Oware, board games and puzzles, hands-on exhibits, light refreshments, and engaging socialization opportunities.
Since its launch in Fall 2022, Teen Time at the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum has been a valuable program providing teenagers with a supportive environment for socialization, learning, and development. The program, initially funded by the Education Stabilization Fund federal grant post-COVID, continues to thrive through donor support.
In line with the museum’s commitment to empowering youth in the community, local businesses are invited to consider sponsoring the Teen Time program. By supporting this initiative, businesses can help ensure that more Teen Time events can be offered free of charge to youth in the community. The museum aims to host 4-6 Teen Time Game Nights each year to provide ongoing learning through play and engagement for adolescents.
Contact amber@vichildrensmuseum.org to discuss sponsorship opportunities or donations. Interested parties can also contribute directly through the provided PayPal donation button link on the museum’s website.
Join us in making a difference and empowering the youth in our community through Teen Time Game Night. Let’s come together to create lasting memories and foster social and emotional growth for teenagers.
Brett “Mac” McClafferty was arrested Feb. 21 by the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Economic Crime Unit in connection with an $888,500 fraud investigation. (VIPD photo)
St. Thomas Social managing partner Brett “Mac” McClafferty was arrested Saturday by the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Economic Crime Unit in connection with what authorities describe as an $888,500 fraud investigation.
According to a Sunday news release, investigators allege that between January and June 2024, McClafferty deposited counterfeit and fictitious checks — including instruments drawn on entities in the British Virgin Islands — and issued bank drafts that were later returned for insufficient funds or subject to stop-payment requests. Police say funds were withdrawn and wired to third parties before the instruments were returned unpaid.
An arrest warrant was issued Dec. 30, 2025, with bail set at $150,000. McClafferty was taken into custody Feb. 21 and, unable to post bail, was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing, which is scheduled for Monday morning.
The charges include grand larceny, passing or possession of forged bills, obtaining money by false pretenses, making and passing fictitious bills and notes, and drawing and delivering worthless checks. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, which initiated the complaint in June 2024, reported a confirmed loss exceeding $80,000, though police allege 12 fraudulent transactions totaling approximately $888,500 moved through McClafferty’s business and personal accounts.
In a statement provided to the Source and posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page, St. Thomas Social partner Sunil Sharma said the arrest centers on a 2024 banking deposit made by the restaurant’s former general manager for a private event rental. Sharma stated that McClafferty did not make the deposit and had no involvement with the client, and that the event ultimately was never held after the check repeatedly bounced and the client later died. Sharma called it “absurd” that the business or its owners would be held responsible for deposits made in the course of ordinary business, noting the restaurant processes more than $2 million annually in transactions. He said McClafferty “committed no crime” and expressed confidence in his release.
St. Croix attorney Kye Walker, whose name has circulated as potential counsel, told the Source she is not representing McClafferty in this matter and will not be. She added that she would never recommend a client issue a press statement upon arrest, saying, “I represent clients in the courtroom, and not in the media.”
The case now moves into the court system, where the government will be required to prove its allegations and McClafferty will have the opportunity to respond through counsel.
The restaurant, its parent company Social Hospitality Group and McClafferty — principal of Mac Private Equity and MPE Clearings and Holdings — are, or have been, the subject of numerous other lawsuits, while Mac Private Equity filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in Delaware Bankruptcy Court in March.
McClafferty has also faced landlord-tenant litigation tied to St. Thomas Social’s operations at Yacht Haven Grande, which was dismissed without prejudice in June. In all matters, McClafferty has denied allegations of wrongdoing and characterized some claims as business disputes.
For a third time in four years, the Senate will consider a plan to rezone an undeveloped plot in St. Croix from residential to business. (Source file photo)
For a third time in four years, the Senate will consider a plan to rezone an undeveloped plot on St. Croix from residential to business. Monday’s hearing comes at the behest of the governor, who vetoed a similar plan passed by the Legislature in 2022.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s 2023 veto negated rezoning the 15.9 acres of virgin green space in Beeston Hill from residential-low density R-1 to business B-2. Property owner Atta Misbeh hoped to build a mixed-use strip mall with some housing. Bryan said “special interests” had influenced the legislation.
Bryan’s proposed plan would rezone the area to B-2 but disallow any activity beyond housing unless specifically authorized by the legislature, according to a Government House press release. Misbeh or future property owners would be allowed to build 24 residential units on 3 to 4 acres, a playground, and an outdoor meeting space, nothing more.
In online petitions and voluminous comments to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, neighbors in Beeston Hill and surrounding areas have long opposed rezoning the land to business, claiming a promise to only building housing was a ruse. The rezoning would lead to traffic and safety concerns, possible drainage issues, and ultimately more empty storefronts out of character with the neighborhood.
Longtime Beeston Hill resident Judith Lordi said Bryan’s rezoning plan was the same as a previous attempt, just dressed up differently.
“Unable to win over Crucians for spot-rezoning, he has approached the governor,” Lordi told the Source Friday. “This is ridiculous. R1 with enough acreage is allowed condos — no need to rezone at all, or possibly just to R2.”
Lordi suggested officials were attempting to dissuade testimony against rezoning the St. Croix property by holding the Senate’s hearing on St. Thomas. Two Crucians will testify at the Senate’s Committee of the Whole meeting Monday, however: David Dower and Olasee Davis. Misbeh, DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol, consultant Alicia Barnes, and Territorial Planner Leia LaPlace-Matthew were scheduled to testify as well.
In 2025, a former senator and former DPNR commissioner, Barnes, represented Misbeh in his bid to rezone the property. Barnes told LaPlace-Matthew that the B-2 zoning would allow for easier financing, as lenders were more apt to invest in land zoned for commercial use. An independent appraiser agreed, writing to DPNR saying B-2 property sold at a higher value than R-1.
LaPlace-Matthew said how projects were financed was immaterial to rezoning considerations. DPNR recommended against the rezoning.
Virgin Islands law puts rezoning decisions in the hands of the Legislature, then the governor, after diligence by DPNR. Many senators have expressed frustration with the checks and balances, saying DPNR were the experts and should have the final word.
Rayan Felix, a seventh grader at Free Will Baptist Christian School (left), and Melaya Petersen, a third grader at Ulla F. Muller Elementary School (right), emerged as the 2026 St. Croix and St. Thomas–St. John District Spelling Bee champions, respectively. Both will advance to the Territorial Spelling Bee. (Submitted photos)
Students across the Virgin Islands stepped into the spotlight last Thursday for the 2026 District Spelling Bees, held simultaneously in the St. Thomas–St. John and St. Croix. By day’s end, a third grader and a seventh grader had claimed the top titles — each earning the right to advance to the Territorial Spelling Bee next month.
In the St. Thomas–St. John District, Melaya Petersen, a third grader at Ulla F. Muller Elementary School, emerged as champion after advancing through multiple rounds against competitors as old as eighth grade. She was followed by Kashyma Paul of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School in second place and Messiah Smith of Addelita Cancryn Junior High School in third.
Rounding out the top 10 in the district were Brendan Jackson of Joseph Sibilly Elementary School; Raj Mipuri of Antilles School; Ashlyn Potter of Antilles School; Malik Williams of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School; Nikai VanBeverhoudt of Antilles School; Tansy Vital of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School; and Hosea Sello of Addelita Cancryn Junior High School.
On St. Croix, seventh grader Rayan Felix of Free Will Baptist Christian School captured the district title. He was followed by Patricia Daytic of St. Mary’s Catholic School in second and Guillian Canceko of Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School in third.
Additional St. Croix finalists included Zawadi Bergan of Lew Muckle Elementary School; Jahmir Greaux of Elena L. Christian Junior High School; Aisha Al-Jaloudi of Church of God Holiness Academy; Grace Sookraj of Good Hope Country Day School; Charles Francis of Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School; Aliyah Rivera of Elena L. Christian Junior High School; and Emmanuel Almestica of Ricardo Richards Elementary School.
Behind those podium moments was months of coordination.
On St. Croix, District Language Arts Coordinator Paulina Crosky said preparation begins as early as August, when schools must register with the Scripps National Spelling Bee and conduct their own campus competitions before advancing students to the district level.
“They cannot participate in the district bee if they are not registered with Scripps,” Crosky explained. “Each individual school has to hold its own spelling bee first.”
Crosky, who previously served as a school spelling bee coordinator herself, said coaches often meet with students during lunch periods and after school. Some competitors return year after year, trying again for their school title.
“I see some of the students come back,” she said. “They’re trying once again to be their school champion.”
This year, Crosky noted a noticeable increase in parent involvement. Ahead of the competition, the district hosted a reception where students drew for their lineup order, reviewed rules, and participated in activities designed to ease nerves. Parents were even invited to participate in a lighthearted mock spelling bee.
On St. Croix, a student-led “comfort team” and members of student council also helped create a welcoming atmosphere for competitors waiting their turn. The effort, Crosky said, was intentional — building confidence before students ever approached the microphone.
“It helped them feel comfortable,” she said. “They weren’t strangers when the bee started.”
On St. Thomas, the day carried its own community touch. The Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Culinary Arts class, led by teacher Asim Morton, prepared and provided lunch for the champion and alternate spellers. Sponsors including Deborah Hodge, The Virgin Islands Daily News and Tutu Park Mall also contributed to the district competition.
By the final rounds in both districts, the room had narrowed to just a few students, each steadying their breathing before spelling words that grew increasingly complex. Some faltered. Some held firm. But every student stepped away having done something difficult: standing alone in front of a crowd and trusting their preparation.
The top six finalists from each district will now advance to the Territorial Spelling Bee, where one student will earn the opportunity to represent the Virgin Islands at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
For Crosky, the victory is meaningful — but so is everything that comes before it.
“It’s the confidence,” she said. “That stays with them.”
“Orchids for All Seasons,” the 54th annual St. Croix Orchid Society’s show, was held in the Bodine Center at St. George Village Botanical Garden on St. Croix. Enthusiasts luxuriated in the ambience of orchids, large and small, in rich jewel-toned colors.
A bright yellow “Dancing Lady,” a species of Oncidiumis a genus of about 370 species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae, graces one of the exhibits. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
“The show was extremely well supported by our local community as well as by visitors to our island. We even had individuals from our sister island of St. Thomas coming over specifically to enjoy our show,” St. Croix Orchid Society President Angelita Ortiz said.
Cattleya orchids are often thought of as corsage flowers, often very fragrant and in multiple colors. This stands out with the variation of pinks and yellows. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
Vendors from both St. Croix and Puerto Rico offered a wide selection of plants and orchid-themed jewelry for sale. Many of those attending left with bags full of plants to add to their collections. Vendors were Aly Gia Day Orchids, EZ Greens Orchids, E Orchids, and Creations “4” Jyla.
Dark yellow with purple to lavender variations, this Vanda is a beautiful addition to the show. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
Judges of The American Orchid Society from the Puerto Rico Judging Center, Carlos Fighetti, AOS/PRJC; Jose Fernandez, AOS/PRJC; Egardo Pauneto, AOS/PRJC; and Edwin Perez, AOS/PRJC, flew to St. Croix on Friday to evaluate and select winners.
Magda Finch, a longtime SCOS member and volunteer, beams in front of her orchid exhibit. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
The show was judged in accordance with the American Orchid Society criteria and was registered with them. The plants and blooms in the show were measured against worldwide AOS standards. Each variety of orchid has clear criteria set out in the judging handbook to determine how they will be rated.
Sandy Radczenko holds her award from SCOS for best Vandaccous Flower in front of her beautiful exhibit. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
The AOS recognizes over 30,000 species of orchids. Orchids in this show were judged against orchids in the same class. First-place winners received a trophy and a blue ribbon. Second place received a red ribbon, and third place received a white ribbon. Additionally, there were seven very coveted AOC awards given this year.
The AOS winner for educational display was Learn, Grow, Bloom. Orchid Care on Our Island by Marjorie Samuels. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
Luther Edwards was the “Orchids for All Seasons” honoree. Luther has more than 800 orchids in his collection, which have won ribbons, trophies, and AOC awards in large numbers over the years. This year, Edwards won the President’s Award along with Michelle Thurland Martinez for the display “V.I. Winter.”
Luther Edwards, the show honoree, holds the SCOS President’s Award. (Source photo by Linda Morland)
The 2026 prestigious AOS Awards were given to:
Education Award – Marjorie Samuels for Learn, Grow, Bloom. Orchid care for Our Island.
Show Trophy – Aly Gia Day Orchids
Individual Flower Awards
Luther Edwards – Den. Little Green Apple
Rudy O’Reily – Epi Clilare
Jose Hernandez – Paph Apres Midi
Sonia Dowe – Onc. Tai
The SCOS was founded March 1, 1963, with seven members. By July, there were 25 charter members. AOS formally accepted the group as affiliate members that same year. Those interested can join and attend monthly meetings at the SGVBC Bodine Center to explore various aspects of orchid cultivation and meet other orchid enthusiasts. Information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/269935946370080.
Winner of the Best Phalaenopsis Flower award from SCOS is a lovely pink-toned “Moth Orchid.” (Source photo by Linda Morland)
Shows have been held in a number of locations over 54 years. These include the Lutheran Church Lord God of Sabbath Hall on King Street, the Buccaneer Resort, the American Legion Hall on Hospital Street, the Great Hall at the University of the Virgin Islands and now at the St. George Village Botanical Garden’s Bodine Center.
“I would like to give our appreciation and thanks to the St. George Village Botanical Garden for allowing us to use the Bodine Center. And a big thanks to our members who came and volunteered and supported this show in many ways.” Ortiz said.
In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.
For most men, the word wealth instantly brings to mind money. From a young age, we are taught to chase success, build stability, and secure our future. The idea is simple: work hard, earn more, and you will be respected, fulfilled, and at peace. But many men reach the goals they set and still feel empty. They buy the house, the car, the status, yet somewhere deep inside, there is still a quiet restlessness. That is because financial success alone cannot fill emotional poverty. Without emotional wealth, even abundance feels incomplete.
Emotional wealth is the ability to live with peace, clarity, and confidence no matter what is in your bank account. It is the strength to manage your emotions instead of being ruled by them, to nurture relationships that restore rather than drain, and to maintain purpose even when circumstances change. Emotional wealth is what keeps a man steady when everything else is unstable. It is not built overnight, and it is not built through hustle. It is built through healing, awareness, and intention.
Many men were never taught how to build that kind of wealth. We learned to invest in everything except our inner life. We were told to provide for everyone else but never shown how to take care of ourselves. We were praised for endurance, not balance; for production, not peace. So, we worked harder, thinking that achievement would silence the noise inside us. But no paycheck can fix loneliness, and no title can replace connection. The richest man in the room can still be emotionally bankrupt if he has not learned how to be present, patient, and whole.
Building emotional wealth begins with self-awareness. You cannot manage what you refuse to see. Too many men live in emotional autopilot, reacting to life instead of responding to it. Anger becomes the default emotion because it feels safer than fear, sadness, or shame. But when you begin to slow down and ask yourself why you feel what you feel, you start to take back control. You begin to see patterns; the triggers that keep repeating, the insecurities that hide behind pride, the habits that feel like strength but are actually defense mechanisms. Awareness is the first deposit in your emotional account.
The next is discipline. Emotional discipline is not about suppression; it is about stewardship. It means learning to pause before reacting, to reflect before deciding, and to listen before judging. It is the discipline of choosing peace over pride and purpose over impulse. When a man develops that level of control, he becomes dangerous in the best way, not because he dominates others, but because he cannot be dominated by chaos. Emotional wealth allows you to navigate life without being shaken by every storm.
Relationships play a central role in this kind of growth. Emotional wealth multiplies through connection. Healthy relationships are like joint investments, they grow when both parties contribute care, honesty, and understanding. Men who isolate themselves may avoid disappointment, but they also avoid depth. You cannot build emotional wealth in solitude. You need brothers who hold you accountable, partners who see you clearly, and mentors who challenge you to keep evolving. Every man needs a circle where he can be honest without fear of judgment. Those relationships are not signs of weakness; they are signs of wisdom.
Another pillar of emotional wealth is forgiveness, not just toward others, but toward yourself. Many men carry silent regret for what they did not know, the mistakes they made, or the people they hurt along the way. Holding on to guilt drains emotional energy and blocks growth. Forgiveness is not about forgetting; it is about releasing the past so it no longer defines your future. When you forgive yourself, you give yourself permission to rebuild with better tools and a clearer heart. That is the kind of freedom money cannot buy.
Emotional wealth also requires rest. Not just physical rest, but mental and spiritual rest. We live in a world that glorifies exhaustion and calls it ambition. But a man who never slows down eventually forgets what he is running for. Rest is not a reward for finishing the work, it is part of the work. Stillness sharpens clarity. Reflection restores balance. Prayer, meditation, journaling, or quiet time, whatever form it takes, rest is the space where wisdom grows.
A man who is emotionally wealthy leads differently. He does not need to control people to feel powerful. He listens more than he lectures. He knows that peace is more persuasive than pride. In his relationships, he communicates rather than commands. He learns to apologize, to empathize, and to compromise. He stops seeing love as a threat and starts seeing it as the reward of maturity. That kind of man is not just stable, he is safe. The people around him can trust his presence because it is not driven by ego but by intention.
Building emotional wealth is not a one-time achievement; it is a lifelong practice. It grows with every honest conversation, every moment of reflection, and every choice to respond instead of react. It grows every time you set a boundary that protects your peace or walk away from something that costs your sanity. It grows when you choose humility over hardness, gratitude over greed, and forgiveness over resentment.
At its core, emotional wealth is freedom. It is the ability to show up fully as yourself without fear of being misunderstood. It is knowing that your value is not tied to what you do but who you are becoming. It is the quiet confidence that comes from doing the internal work most people avoid. The man who builds emotional wealth does not compete with others, he competes with the version of himself from yesterday.
The world measures success by what it can count. Emotional wealth is measured by what you can carry. Can you carry peace when life disappoints you? Can you carry joy when things do not go your way? Can you carry love when people test your patience? That is the true mark of abundance.
We spend years learning how to earn, but the real work is learning how to feel, how to heal, and how to be whole. When a man learns that lesson, he stops chasing success and starts living in it. That is what it means to be rich in the ways that matter most.
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
Ronald Lee Jr. leads an ensemble performing at the St. John School of the Arts Friday. (Submitted photo)
Tickets are still available for a concert by the Ronald Lee Experience on Friday, at 6:30 p.m. at the St. John School of the Arts in Cruz Bay. It’s the second performance in the school’s Sis Frank Concert Series.
Ronald Lee Jr. describes the ensemble’s style as Caribbean-infused jazz. “My concerts highlight the African-Caribbean diaspora,” he said. In addition to Lee (who plays piano and steel pan), band members include Eljhaie Brathwaite on steel pan/bass; Kayla Boodoo on vocals/piano; Jaren Hodge on drums; and guest artist Jairay Petty on piano.
Tickets are $50 and are available at the school’s website or by calling 340-779-4322. A limited number of tickets may be sold at the door.
It’s fitting that during Black History Month, two of the compositions the band will perform highlight historic events of the Virgin Islands. The first, “1733,” was composed by St. John pan-player Victor Provost and commemorates the insurrection at Fortsberg on St. John. The second, “Fyah Bun 1878,” is inspired by events on St. Croix and is composed by band member Eljhaie Brathwaite.
Ronald Lee Jr. (not to be confused with his father, Ronald Lee Sr., or longtime St. John resident Ronnie Lee) is well known on St. John. He currently teaches piano at the St. John School of the Arts, where he provides private and group classes. He is also the current president and instructor of Love City Pan Dragons Steel Orchestra.
Last year, he led the Pan Dragons to a first-place win at PANFest 2025 in collaboration with another steel band he has worked with in Maryland, known as CAFE (Cultural Academy for Excellence).
Since graduating from college three years ago, Lee has taught and performed throughout the V.I., and his reputation now extends far beyond the territory. Every year, he travels to Trinidad and Tobago to participate in the National Panorama Competition, and he recently traveled to Japan for a study abroad program, connecting with steel pan musicians in Japan.
Members of Love City Pan Dragons pose for a group photo. Ronald Lee is on the far right. (Submitted photo)
In 2024, he was accepted to a music-intensive program in Aspen, Colorado, called Jas Academy Afro Caribbean Big Band, hosted by Artistic Director Etienne Charles.
Born and raised on St. John, Lee found his passion for music through playing with the Pan Dragons as a youngster. He chose to attend George Mason University because that’s where renowned steel pan player Victor Provost teaches music. (Provost will perform in March with longtime collaborator Alex Brown as part of the Sis Frank Concert Series.)
Returning to St. John after graduation was always Lee’s goal, he said, “Because I enjoy my culture, and with all the knowledge I have of music, I wanted to give back to the community.”
That he has done, according to Jeune´ Provost, director of the St. John School of the Arts. “Ronald Lee Jr.’s work reflects a commitment to excellence, mentorship, and community engagement. Whether on stage or in the classroom, he continues to inspire the next generation of musicians while celebrating the vibrant musical heritage of the Caribbean,” she wrote.
Lee’s time on St. John is not infinite. He has plans to return to the States to pursue a Master’s Degree in Music. For now, audience members can enjoy original compositions and arrangements by him, band members, and collaborating musicians at Friday night’s concert.
Call to Order: Honorable Milton E. Potter, Chairman, Committee of the Whole
Roll Call: Sterilina Warner, Supervisor of Records
CONSIDERATION OF FLOOR AGENDA:
The 36th Legislature will convene in a Committee of the Whole to receive testimony on the following:
BLOCK I
Bill No. 36-0200 An act amending Official Zoning Map No. SCZ-7 for the island of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, rezoning a portion of the Remainder of Estate Beeston Hill (South Portion), Matricular No. 6a, Company Quarter, St. Croix, from R-1 (Residential–Low Density) to B-2 (Business–Secondary/Neighborhood) CCZP0069-25
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jean-Pierre Oriol, Commissioner, VI Department of Planning & Natural Resources
Leia LaPlace-Matthew, Territorial Planner, VI Dept of Planning & Natural Resources
Mr. Atta Misbeh
Ms. Alicia Barnes, Rittenhouse Consulting
Mr. Olasee Davis, Citizens
Mr. David Doward, Citizens
Bill No. 36-0235 An act ratifying the Governor of the Virgin Islands’ approval of Major Coastal Zone Permit No. CZT-09-22(W) granted to Anquet, Inc.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jean-Pierre Oriol, Commissioner, VI Department of Planning & Natural Resources
Leia LaPlace-Matthew, Territorial Planner, VI Dept of Planning & Natural Resources
Mr. William Quetel
Ms. Patricia Quetel
Adriane Dudley, Partner, Dudley Rich, LLP
BLOCK II
Bill No. 36-0228 An act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code by adding a chapter 39 establishing the Virgin Islands Health Data Utility, which will advance data sharing infrastructure, simplifies reporting, enhances data visualization, and improves traditional clinical data exchange, across individual practice and institutional health settings, and social service organizations
Invited Testifiers:
Michelle Francis, Director, Office of Health IT
Taetia Phillip-Dorsett, Assistant Commissioner, VI Department of Human Services
Gary Smith, Director of Medicaid
Dr. Frank Odlum, President, VI Medical Board
Dr. Tess Richards, Interim CEO, St. Thomas East End Medical Center
Craig Behm, CEO, CRISP Shared Services, Health Information Exchange (HIE) Vendor
Troy Schuster, CEO, AARP USVI
Pamela Toussaint- Everett, Director, AARP USVI
Dr. Siri Akal, CEO, Red Hook Medical Center
Esther Ellis, Assistant Commissioner, VI Department of Health
Darlene A. Baptiste, CEO, Juan F. Luis Hospital
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2026
Committee on Rules and Judiciary
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
Please be advised that the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Rules and Judiciary has scheduled ahearing for Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimonies from the Governor’s Nominees and to consider the followinglegislative measures:
BLOCK I GOVERNOR’S NOMINATIONS 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Governing Board of the VI Port Authority
Mr. Willard John
Ms. Leona Smith
Honorable Celestino White
BLOCK II GOVERNOR’S NOMINATION 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Virgin Islands Board of Contractors, Trades, and Crafts
Mr. Joseph Donohoo
LUNCH 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
BLOCK III BILLS 2:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Bill No. 36-0198 An act amending Act No. 9035 by redesignating the funding source for several entities andcorrecting a typographical error and amending Act No. 9045 by inserting and striking appropriations
Bill No. 36-0199 An act approving the lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through the Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Accent Property Management, LLC. for Parcels No. 123 and 129 Submarine Base, South Side Quarter, St. Thomas, to develop the premises to operate, establish, and manage a slate of subtenants, pursuant to an approved development plan.
Bill No. 36-0204 An act approving a multi-year lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and Commercial Investments LLC, for Parcel No. 30 Submarine Base, No. 6 Southside Quarter, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, for a logistics storage warehouse and other related purposes.
Bill No. 36-0219 An act amending title 22 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 31 relating to the Virgin Islands Producer and Adjuster Licensing Act by modifying renewal provisions for insurance producer licenses.
Bill No. 36-0237 An act approving a multi-year lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands, acting through its Commissioner of the Department of Property and Procurement, and DM Hospitality LLC, for Parcel No. 2C Crystal Gade, Queen’s Quarter, St. Thomas, consisting of a 2-story building; and a portion of Parcel No. 3 Crystal Gade, consisting of a 2-story building to operate a food and beverage management company with a bakery and deli, a jewelry business management company, and other related purposes.
Bill No. 36-0084 An act honoring and commending Alva Alphonse Swan also known as “Coach Tumba” for his significant contributions to the sport of basketball in the Virgin Islands by bestowing upon him the Key to the Territory.
Bill No. 36-0220 An act honoring and commending former Senator Lorraine L. Berry posthumously for her decades of outstanding public service by renaming Hull Bay Road located in North Side, St. Thomas, the “Lorraine L. Berry Drive”
Bill No. 36-0194 A resolution urging the United States Congress and the Office of the United States Trade Representative to expand and modernize the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) to further support economic growth and development in the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean region.
Bill No. 36-0150 An act honoring and commending Thelma Leona Petersen-Springer, posthumously, for her outstanding community service to the children and the people of the Virgin Islands.
Bill No. 36-0225 A resolution honoring and commending Sharon Maria Williams for her outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the fields of education and culinary arts.
Bill No. 36-0226 A resolution honoring and commending Mrs. Janet Brow Phillips for her outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the fields of education and culinary arts to the Virgin Islands community.
Bill No. 36-0227 A resolution honoring and commending the Armstrong Family, long-time owners of Armstrong Ice Cream for their exceptional contributions to the economic growth, cultural heritage, and development of the Virgin Islands.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance
10:00 A.M.
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will meet on Friday, February 27, 2026, 10:00 A.M. in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas.
BLOCK I
The Committee will receive testimony from the Governor’s Financial Team on territory’s finances to include the status of vendor payments, property taxes, 90-120 days revenue collections, 90-120 days general expenditures, the Tourism Revolving Fund, Compliance reporting in accordance with Act 8915, the Line of Credit, the Budget Stabilization Fund, the Single Payer Utility, cash on hand, federal drawdowns, status of federal grants, agencies budget allotments, bundles, schools, hospitals as well as horizontal and vertical infrastructures. The committee will also receive testimony from the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works on the overview of all Territory-wide capital projects (Horizontal and Vertical Infrastructures) and all Garvee funded projects, as well as from the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation on a detailed plan for expenditure of $5 million at the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack.
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Kevin G. McCurdy, Commissioner, VI Department of Finance
Mr. Julio Rhymer, Sr., Director, Office of Management and Budget
Mrs. Adrienne Williams-Octalien, Director, Office of Disaster Recovery
Mr. Nathan Simmonds, Director, Finance and Administration, VI Public Finance Authority
Mr. Ludence Romney, Tax Assessor, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Mr. Brent Leerdam, Tax Collector, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Ms. Joss Springette, Esq., Chief Negotiator, Office of Collective Bargaining
Ms. Cindy L. Richardson, Director, Division of Personnel
Dr. Haldane Davies, Executive Director, Bureau of Economic Research
Honorable Derek A. Gabriel, Commissioner, VI Department of Public Works
Honorable Vincent Roberts, Commissioner, VI Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation
BLOCK II
The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance will consider the following bill:
Bill No. 36-0236 An act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, subtitle 3, chapter 111, section 3061 by increasing the amount of money that is to remain in the Virgin Islands Insurance Guaranty Fund before any interest can be deposited into the General Fund
Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Kevin G. McCurdy, Commissioner, VI Department of Finance
Mr. Julio Rhymer, Sr., Director, Office of Management and Budget
Glendina Matthew, Esq., Director, Division of Banking, Insurance and Financial Regulation, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
TUESDAY, MARCH 03, 2026
Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance
10:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 04, 2026
Committee on Education and Workforce Development
9:00 A.M.
Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room
THURSDAY, MARCH 05, 2026
Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety
In his biweekly column, Langley Shazor speaks to issues important to men within the territory.
