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 urge you [Gov. Turnbull] to veto No. 24-0199 and to consider the recommendations given by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and by the many who testified, non-profit civic associations and professional biologists, during recent public hearings about Estate Botany Bay. The recommendation of a variance with conditions was met with some satisfaction by the parties involved , including a review by the developers. However, the Senate with a single vote decided the fate of this culturally rich and environmentally pristine area for development without adequate safeguards.
Your decision in favor of a variance with conditions is a true balance of preserving irreplaceable natural and cultural Virgin Islands resources with development.
Botany Bay contains two archeological sites which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with other important sites that are known yet to be discovered. Without a complete comprehensive archaeological study, which should include a Phase 1 up to a Phase 3 study, we might do irreversible damage to the few remnants of our ancestors.
I implore you as a historian to follow the recommendations of the State Historic Preservation Office and National Trust/Historic Preservation Southern Region Office. An Archaeological and Historic Sites Management Plan must be a prerequisite before any development is to take place. As stated to you by the National Historic Trust in a letter dated Dec. 6, 2001, "We believe that resources of this quality and scarcity demand active cultural resource management. We further believe that areas to [be] managed should be delineated with boundaries concurrent with existing National Register boundaries that define areas on or eligible for the National Register in cases of unlisted properties or areas where existing boundaries could be expanded."
I again urge you to reject the rezoning bill No. 24-0199 for a more constructive and balanced approach in this Area of Particular Concern of Botany Bay for future generations.
Jason Budsan
Board member, St. Thomas Historic Trust
St. Thomas

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.

Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" who may or may not have been waiting for years for the movie are not likely to be disappointed either way.
Despite some departures from the book's story line, the 2 hour and 58 minute movie is expected to be a box office smash, as well as a highly acclaimed movie version of the first of Tolkien's well-loved trilogy which also includes "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King," both of which have already been produced on film.
The story of good against evil, friendship and courage in a place called Middle-earth, in a time beyond history, could never have been made before now, although animated versions of the Tolkien stories have been done.
But the expansive battle scenes, fantastical creatures and mythic characters — played by a list of actors that reads like the "Who's Who" of the industry's most highly acclaimed performers — could not have been created until technology caught up with the requirements of the film. It has, and judging from the movie's trailers, in precise and prodigious ways.
The movie stars Elijah Woods as Frodo Baggins, Hobbit extrordinaire, with Ian McClellan playing the mighty wizard, Gandolf -– and who better!
Cate Blanchette has been cast as Galadriel , Queen of Lothlorien, with Liv Tyler playing Arwen, a princess who in the book did little more than sit at her father's side but has been turned woman warrior in the movie version -– something that Tolkien purists have objected to.
Director Peter Jackson, however, says Arwen needed to be enhanced.
In the movie, Arwen protects Baggins from spirit-warriors, according to a New York Times article on the differences between the book and the movie, something she does not do in the book.
Ian Holm plays Bilbo Baggins, Frodo's elderly cousin, who passes the sought-after magic ring, subject of the adventure, on to Frodo, along with Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd, who play Hobbits Sam, Merry and Pippin, respectively.
Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, Marton Csokas, Christopher Lee, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving also star.
Given the brilliant cast, techological achievements and Tolkien's well-loved story, the movie can only be a amazing film journey through the imagination.
Rated PG-13, it starts Thursday at Sunny Isle theaters.

Dec. 17, 2001 – Neither sleet nor snow, which aren't really a problem, nor torrential rains, which are, have put a damper on Edgar "Baker" Phillips and his small band of rather large elves, a couple of them from St. Croix, who have been busily brightening up St. Thomas for the last few weeks.
Trimming the Christmas tree at Rothschild Francis "Market" Square Monday afternoon while dodging yet another deluge, Baker was philosophic about the weather. "We work as long as we can, then we duck in, and as soon as it holds up, we're out there," he said with his trademark grin. "We've got to keep moving — Christmas is just around the corner."
Baker is an old hand at decorating St. Thomas for Santa. He's been at it for 14 years with his somewhat unusual assistants, prisoners who are out on work release. This year, his crew includes two helpers from last Christmas, along with two new recruits.
Mason Grinnell, 32, and Lando Brown, 30, are making their second and what both hope is their last Christmas appearance in orange pants. Both are scheduled to be released soon. Brown plans to go home to St. Croix, where he hopes to work as an auto mechanic, and Grinnell, who is winding up a 10-year sentence, will head for California to see his mother, who hasn't seen him for several years.
Newcomer Harley Wilcox, 53, beamed at the idea of having his picture taken. "This will be the first time in years it hasn't been for a mug shot," he quipped as Baker looked on shaking his head. Angel Navarro, the youngest crewman at 22, also welcomed the idea of a picture. "I'm going home to St. Croix in two months," the 1999 Central High School graduate said, adding that he plans to try out for the National Guard when he's released.
"Come on, let's take the picture. We've got work to do," Baker said, showing no reluctance to be in it, himself. They still had to decorate the actual Market Square tree; the one they had just finished there was going to Mandela Circle.
In the last three weeks the crew has decorated Government House, Emancipation Garden, Education Park, Roosevelt Park, the Skyline Drive overlook, Fort Christian, and just about any other public place you might see, including the little tree in the triangle by Frank's Bakery in Sub Base.
"You should mention Gov. Charles Wesley Turnbull has been behind us," Baker said. "He has a strong passion for Christmas, and he likes lots of lights, bright, colored lights. He even went to Puerto Rico to pick out trees and lights, out of his own pocket."
An obvious fan of the governor's, Baker continued, "He's a historian, you know. When we were moving his archives to Government House, I even saw a high school picture of myself. There were lots of crumbling papers in the things he had, but he wouldn't let us throw anything away."
Phillips is special projects director for the Property and Procurement Department and a member of the Committee to Revive our Culture, which also decorated Emancipation Garden.
The work-release decorating is jointly supervised by the Justice Department, the Offices of the Governor and the St. Thomas Administrator, and Property and Procurement. Only inmates who are drug-free and in good standing get the Christmas duty.
Wilcox looked something like Santa himself with a huge, bushy white beard until the other day. "I go before the parole board next week, so I shaved," he explained. He and Grinnell grinned at the prospect of getting out soon, but one said, "You know, we're sort of like a family by now."
A year ago, Grinnell's mother saw his picture in the first Christmas decorating story posted on St. Thomas Source and wrote the newspaper to express her appreciation. "Can you e-mail her and let her know about this one?" Grinnell asked. "I'd sure be happy."

Dec. 17, 2001 – Neither sleet nor snow, which aren't really a problem, nor torrential rains, which are, have put a damper on Edgar "Baker" Phillips and his small band of rather large elves who have been busily brightening up the island for the last few weeks.
Trimming the Christmas tree at Rothschild Francis "Market" Square Monday afternoon while dodging yet another deluge, Baker was philosophic about the weather. "We work as long as we can, then we duck in, and as soon as it holds up, we're out there," he said with his trademark grin. "We've got to keep moving — Christmas is just around the corner."
Baker is an old hand at decorating St. Thomas for Santa. He's been at it for 14 years with his somewhat unusual assistants, prisoners who are out on work release. This year, his crew includes two helpers from last Christmas, along with two new recruits.
Mason Grinnell, 32, and Lando Brown, 30, are making their second and what both hope is their last Christmas appearance in orange pants. Both are scheduled to be released soon. Brown plans to go home to St. Croix, where he hopes to work as an auto mechanic, and Grinnell, who is winding up a 10-year sentence, will head for California to see his mother, who hasn't seen him for several years.
Newcomer Harley Wilcox, 53, beamed at the idea of having his picture taken. "This will be the first time in years it hasn't been for a mug shot," he quipped as Baker looked on shaking his head. Angel Navarro, the youngest crewman at 22, also welcomed the idea of a picture. "I'm going home to St. Croix in two months," the 1999 Central High School graduate said, adding that he plans to try out for the National Guard when he's released.
"Come on, let's take the picture. We've got work to do," Baker said, showing no reluctance to be in it, himself. They still had to decorate the actual Market Square tree; the one they had just finished there was going to Mandela Circle.
In the last three weeks the crew has decorated Government House, Emancipation Garden, Education Park, Roosevelt Park, the Skyline Drive overlook, Fort Christian, and just about any other public place you might see, including the little tree in the triangle by Frank's Bakery in Sub Base.
"You should mention Gov. Charles Wesley Turnbull has been behind us," Baker said. "He has a strong passion for Christmas, and he likes lots of lights, bright, colored lights. He even went to Puerto Rico to pick out trees and lights, out of his own pocket."
An obvious fan of the governor's, Baker continued, "He's a historian, you know. When we were moving his archives to Government House, I even saw a high school picture of myself. There were lots of crumbling papers in the things he had, but he wouldn't let us throw anything away."
Phillips is special projects director for the Property and Procurement Department and a member of the Committee to Revive our Culture, which also decorated Emancipation Garden.
The work-release decorating is jointly supervised by the Justice Department, the Offices of the Governor and the St. Thomas Administrator, and Property and Procurement. Only inmates who are drug-free and in good standing get the Christmas duty.
Wilcox looked something like Santa himself with a huge, bushy white beard until the other day. "I go before the parole board next week, so I shaved," he explained. He and Grinnell grinned at the prospect of getting out soon, but one said, "You know, we're sort of like a family by now."
A year ago, Grinnell's mother saw his picture in the first Christmas decorating story posted on St. Thomas Source and wrote the newspaper to express her appreciation. "Can you e-mail her and let her know about this one?" Grinnell asked. "I'd sure be happy."

Dec. 18, 2001 – "Vanilla Sky" is definitely a bit of a mind stretch. Movies should challenge us to think and feel, but it was a bit disjointed to me, despite some fine performances.
Tom Cruise plays "David Aames," a self-obsessed millionaire playboy magazine publisher. Cameron Diaz plays "Julie Gianni," David's sexy friend and occasional lover who is obsessed with him and sees their relationship as more than it is.
Penelope Cruz plays the dark-haired bombshell "Sofia Serrano," who steals David's heart with a smile and a wickedly delightful Spanish accent. Cruise and Cruz click immediately on screen (and in real life as well now).
The plot is a tangled weaving of love at first sight, redemption, near death experiences, dream sequences, jealousy and the shame of wasted lives. David makes a simple decision that changes his life forever. Two realities exist after that, and the audience is thrown back and forth trying to keep up with which is which.
The film combines some of the choppy piecemeal sequences of Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" and the bottom-line "Fatal Attraction" message that you don't want a woman scorned to be mad at you.
There is a strong underlying message that we should appreciate the people and things we have in case it's all taken from us.
Despite the confusing story line that forces one to go through mental upheavals about every five minutes, Cruise, Cruz and Diaz give excellent performances.
I don't think Tom Cruise has stretched himself as an actor this much since "Born on the Fourth of July." Cameron Diaz shows her versatility, as effective as a seductive love interest as she was the funny ingénue in "There's Something about Mary." And Penelope Cruz is charming.
The film was written and directed by Cameron Crowe ("Almost Famous," "Jerry Maguire"). It also stars Kurt Russell and Jason Lee.
Rated R for sexuality and strong language, it's playing at Market Square East on St. Thomas.

Dec. 18, 2001 – "Vanilla Sky" is definitely a bit of a mind stretch. Movies should challenge us to think and feel, but it was a bit disjointed to me, despite some fine performances.
Tom Cruise plays "David Aames," a self-obsessed millionaire playboy magazine publisher. Cameron Diaz plays "Julie Gianni," David's sexy friend and occasional lover who is obsessed with him and sees their relationship as more than it is.
Penelope Cruz plays the dark-haired bombshell "Sofia Serrano," who steals David's heart with a smile and a wickedly delightful Spanish accent. Cruise and Cruz click immediately on screen (and in real life as well now).
The plot is a tangled weaving of love at first sight, redemption, near death experiences, dream sequences, jealousy and the shame of wasted lives. David makes a simple decision that changes his life forever. Two realities exist after that, and the audience is thrown back and forth trying to keep up with which is which.
The film combines some of the choppy piecemeal sequences of Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" and the bottom-line "Fatal Attraction" message that you don't want a woman scorned to be mad at you.
There is a strong underlying message that we should appreciate the people and things we have in case it's all taken from us.
Despite the confusing story line that forces one to go through mental upheavals about every five minutes, Cruise, Cruz and Diaz give excellent performances.
I don't think Tom Cruise has stretched himself as an actor this much since "Born on the Fourth of July." Cameron Diaz shows her versatility, as effective as a seductive love interest as she was the funny ingénue in "There's Something about Mary." And Penelope Cruz is charming.
The film was written and directed by Cameron Crowe ("Almost Famous," "Jerry Maguire"). It also stars Kurt Russell and Jason Lee.
Rated R for sexuality and strong language, it's playing at Market Square East.

Dec. 18, 2001 – "Vanilla Sky" is definitely a bit of a mind stretch. Movies should challenge us to think and feel, but it was a bit disjointed to me, despite some fine performances.
Tom Cruise plays "David Aames," a self-obsessed millionaire playboy magazine publisher. Cameron Diaz plays "Julie Gianni," David's sexy friend and occasional lover who is obsessed with him and sees their relationship as more than it is.
Penelope Cruz plays the dark-haired bombshell "Sofia Serrano," who steals David's heart with a smile and a wickedly delightful Spanish accent. Cruise and Cruz click immediately on screen (and in real life as well now).
The plot is a tangled weaving of love at first sight, redemption, near death experiences, dream sequences, jealousy and the shame of wasted lives. David makes a simple decision that changes his life forever. Two realities exist after that, and the audience is thrown back and forth trying to keep up with which is which.
The film combines some of the choppy piecemeal sequences of Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" and the bottom-line "Fatal Attraction" message that you don't want a woman scorned to be mad at you.
There is a strong underlying message that we should appreciate the people and things we have in case it's all taken from us.
Despite the confusing story line that forces one to go through mental upheavals about every five minutes, Cruise, Cruz and Diaz give excellent performances.
I don't think Tom Cruise has stretched himself as an actor this much since "Born on the Fourth of July." Cameron Diaz shows her versatility, as effective as a seductive love interest as she was the funny ingénue in "There's Something about Mary." And Penelope Cruz is charming.
The film was written and directed by Cameron Crowe ("Almost Famous," "Jerry Maguire"). It also stars Kurt Russell and Jason Lee.
Rated R for sexuality and strong language, it's playing at Sunny Isle Theaters.

Dec. 17, 2001 – Board members from the Port Authority, The West Indian Co. and the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce met Monday morning with Gov. Charles W. Turnbull at Government House to discuss plans in the works for two cruise lines to expand the Crown Bay dock and develop and operate an adjacent shopping complex.
The governor, a career educator, sent them away with homework: Each group is to submit a position paper to him by Friday, Attorney General Iver Stridiron, a member of the Port Authority board who was at the meeting, said afterward.
"My position is clear," he said. "I will give the governor the best legal and practical advice I can."
Stridiron said he firmly believes it is in the territory's best interest to go forward with the plans set forth in a letter of intent signed months ago by the Port Authority, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Carnival Corp. The agreement calls for the cruise lines to fund the $31 million project and pay VIPA $25,000 a year initially to lease the land for up to 50 years. The cruise lines would not pay 75 percent of port taxes for the first 20 years and would have priority berthing at the Crown Bay dock.
"It is absolutely not true that the cruise ships would control the harbor," Stridiron said, in response to fears expressed by some opponents of the agreement. "VIPA will continue to control the harbor. We will own the development; they will lease it, and we will have a seat on the board."
In response to remarks Friday by WICO chief executive Edward E. Thomas about the cruise lines having shopped the project to other islands unsuccessfully before finding a taker in the Virgin Islands, [see "WICO chief: Crown Bay idea rejected elsewhere"], Stridiron said: "What's good for one island may not be good for another."
The attorney general added, "We need to do all we can to assure we grow our tourism product. An agreement with an entity owning 85 percent of the cruise ship industry can't be something you toss out the window."
Mike Daswani, owner of the St. Thomas camera and electronics retail business Royal Caribbean (which is unrelated to the cruise line), expressed the opposite view.
"The pier should be developed; there's no question about it," he said. "But it should be developed by VIPA and WICO working together. They have the expertise, and funding isn't a problem. If we give the cruise lines the agreement, they will have 50 years to get a return back from their investment, but if we develop it ourselves, the revenue will stay with us."
According to knowledgeable sources, WICO was expected to offer to build the Crown Bay facility by borrowing the money from Banco Popular.
In Daswani's view, "The cruise ships will be happy to come if we create a proper docking facility. We feel as a community that we should be controlled by our own entities. We need to support Carifest [the theme park being developed adjacent to the WICO dock] and Yacht Haven. They need to be encouraged, and not duplicated."
He added, "I'm sure we can work some incentive program to keep the ships coming here in the summer. We're still No. 1 in the Caribbean, and we are quite capable of doing that on our own. We've done it all these years, and WICO is fully satisfactory and accepted by all the cruise lines."
James Armour, owner of Armour Enterprises and another chamber board representative, said he was "intent on working within the framework of VIPA, WICO and the private sector coming to a common position to advise the governor." He said Turnbull had asked all parties to discuss their options with one another.
Leslie Milliner, a Port Authority board member and longtime owner of the L&C Milliner department store, said, "I would have favored us building the project ourselves, but we must keep in mind that while we are No. 1 in the Caribbean today, we can't afford to sit on our laurels. Cuba is opening sooner than we think. If the cruise lines have a stake here, we'll stay on their itinerary."
VIPA executive director Gordon Finch recently told a Rotary gathering that while the Virgin Islands was the No. 1 cruise ship port in the world before Hurricane Hugo, "We're down to about 13 on the list. We are losing market share because we haven't grown."
Stridiron said he isn't sure, if the agreement doesn't go through, whether there would be any change in the relationship between the territory and the cruise lines. "They will continue to see this as a premier port," he said. "My concern is the long term — for instance, if Cuba opens up, we may have a gradual decline over the years, and we'd like to avoid that as much as possible. Having a formal relationship with the cruise industry for 50 years is something we ought not to sniff at."
Daswani, who owns a branch shop in Havensight Mall as well as his main store downtown, said the proposed development would definitely hurt Main Street. "We already have vacancies on Main Street, Back Street and the waterfront," he said. "And we are just starting the renovation of Market Square."
His views reflect those expressed by the Chamber of Commerce about the effect the development would have on the local retail economy. "The idea is to generate more revenue, not slice it into three parts," he said, referring to downtown, Havensight and Crown Bay.
"At Crown Bay, we need to put a crafts market with local vendors to get more exposure to visitors — local products, art, foods, perfumes, anything local," Daswani said. "We don't need another string of jewelry stores."
Milliner, a former president of the chamber of commerce, said, "If we made a decision based on today's conditions, we'd be fooling ourselves. It's better to have 10 percent of the turkey than 100 percent of the sparrow."
Also at the meeting were Port Authority board members Wayne Callwood, Public Works commissioner, and Kent Bernier on behalf of board chair Pamela Richards, Tourism commissioner; West Indian Co. board members Rudolph Krigger, Bent Lawaetz and Arturo Watlington; and chamber of commerce board member Sebastiano Cassinelli-Paiewonsky.
Stridiron said he doesn't envy the governor the task before him. "We discussed the issues everyone had," he said. "The fact remains we are dealing with government property, and ultimately the governor would have to give his blessing. He will be weighing all the issues raised by all parties."

Dec. 17, 2001 – The annual tree-lighting of Roosevelt Park, rescheduled due to inclement weather, will take place Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m.
Sponsored by We From UpStreet, the ceremony will feature the Christmas sounds of the Voices of Love and Party Hardies Carolers, the Antilles School Choir, and Milo's Kings.
A release from We From UpStreet suggests bringing a lounge chair to enjoy the evening.

The annual tree-lighting of Roosevelt Park was postponed from Monday due to inclement weather. It is rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m.
The ceremony will feature music by the voices of Love and Party Hardies Carolers, the Antilles School Choir, and Milo's Kings.
A release from We From UpStreet suggests bringing a lounge chair to enjoy the evening.