The territory's chambers of commerce and hoteliers showed unprecedented courage when they refused to be part of a watered-down, no-teeth Tourism Advisory Committee. Such advisory groups have accomplished little in the past, and there is no reason to think this one will be different. That’s why the governor’s own five-year plan recommends a semi-autonomous Tourism Authority with the power to run the territory’s tourism operation.
The private businesses in the Virgin Islands are on the front lines every day dealing with the ebb and flow of our tourist traffic — which is not to say our public-sector tourism employees are not working hard, too. But the private-sector businesses are the first to feel the impact of the tourism flux.
Make no mistake, though; it does eventually trickle down to our government employees, since most of the money to support our government comes from the private sector, and particularly from tourism.
But even if you disagree with the private sector organizations' decision to boycott the Tourism Advisory Committee, there is no justification for the governor's public criticism of them in front of guests.
Which takes us to the behavior of, first, the governor, and then his employees during the tourism symposium a few days ago.
The governor’s decision to lash out at the chambers and the hoteliers in front of our invited guests from the international tourism community was embarrassing and, in our current economy, extremely dangerous. As they say on American Airlines, "We know you have a choice in your travel." Did Gov. Turnbull lose sight of that fact when he chose to air our dirty linen so publicly?
And what could our government's tourism professionals possibly have been thinking when they boycotted and walked out of events during the three-day symposium? Whose decision was it to do that? And what message did they think they were sending to our tourism partners from abroad, on whom we are so dependent?
These travel partners, who came here to find out what we have to offer, "have a choice" in where they send travelers. So, will they recommend a place where the hostility between the public and private sectors is palpable — and has been made to seem worse than it actually is? Or will they suggest that their clients go someplace where everyone is of one accord about how to create and maintain an outstanding tourism product?
Let's face it, we have enough problems in this territory with hostile tourism workers – year after year we hold seminars to teach people how to be nice to our visitors. The last thing we needed was this latest display of that hostile attitude from the people in charge of the government’s tourism efforts.
If it is true that human beings learn by example, then what did we learn this week?

April 25, 2001 — The success of this year's United Way campaign has opened the door for new agencies to submit applications for membership, organization president Scott Barber announced.
For the past two years, United Way of St. Thomas-St. John has not accepted new applications, Barber said, so that it could more adequately respond to the financial needs of its current agencies.
"After the success of our recent campaign, we are convinced United Way will continue to grow. With that comes the responsibility to encompass more of our needy people. We feel no other organization can do it better," Barber said. The organization raised $531,000 in its 2001 campaign.
Community organizations must file applications by June 15. In order to be considered, an applicant must:
– Be an incorporated, private, not-for-profit organization holding 501(3) tax-exempt status.
– Offer a strong human services program.
– Be nondiscriminatory.
– Have an active volunteer leadership which reflects the makeup of the community.
– Agree to provide timely financial and program information to United Way.
– Have sound financial and program management.
Application forms may be obtained at the United Way office above Mr. Tablecloth on Main Street or by calling 774-3185.

The Health Insurance Board of Trustees advises all government employees and retirees of the board meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, April 30, in the Department of Justice Conference Room located on the 2nd floor of the GERS Complex.

The Health Insurance Board of Trustees advises all government employees and retirees of the Board meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, April 30, in the Department of Justice Conference Room located on the 2nd floor of the GERS Complex.

April 25, 2001 – It seems like Hollywood has it in for Johnny Depp, or at least it's bound to cast him in sleazy roles. Emerging from a river rat, however charming, in "Chocolat," he shakes off that image only to become a true life sleaze, notorious drug dealer George Jung, in "Blow."
Jung is currently serving a 15-year sentence in real life, due to get sprung in 2014, according to reports from Hollywood. Jung is known for single-handedly importing cocaine into the states in the 1970's for Columbian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. So, the story is about his auspicious rise in the drug world and his inevitable and dreary fall into the unfriendly arms of the law.
One source has it that it's not about that at all. "It's about hair and outfits. It's real mission is to display Depp in aviator sunglasses and sharp pusherwear." Well, whatever. Depp is joined by Penelope Cruz as Mirtha, his squeeze, later to become his wife, who is apparently as greedy and crazy as Jung.
There's one supporting role that shouldn't be missed. Paul Reubens ( Peewee's Playhouse) as Jung's connection, a gay, social-climbing Los Angeles hairdresser. So, "Traffic" it's not, but it might discourage some aspiring drug dealers.
It is directed by Ted Demme, and based on the book, "Blow: How a Small-Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellin Cocaine Cartel and Lost it All," by Bruce Porter. Perhaps we should have just used that title for this preview?
It's playing this week at Cinema One.

April 25, 2001 – The British have a knack for so many things – literature, fish and chips, turning out a good (if warm) pint, scorning and adoring and their royalty, and producing fine, offbeat, working class films. And it looks like "Billy Elliot" is one of those.
Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) is a lonesome 11-year-old living in a desolate mining town in North East England with his recently widowed father and his unsmiling brother, both of whom are involved in a massive coal miner's strike. With his brother and father at an emotional impasse – he can't really communicate with them – Billy starts playing his late mother's piano when nobody is around. He enjoys it.
He is supposed to be taking boxing lessons in the afternoon, which he dutifully does until he discovers a ballet class at the other end of the building. He soon ingratiates himself with the dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters), and begins secretly taking lessons. Wilkinson is astonished at Billy's natural talent, and Billy is thrilled to have found what he loves.
When his father finally finds out about the dancing lessons, a major crisis erupts as Billy tries to explain his love for dance. His family is having none of it.
One critic probably said it best: "a simple story, laced with sass, incredible charm and superb acting." It is a debut role for 13-year-old Bell who tried out along with about 2,000 other boys, for the part. Director Stephen Daldry was overjoyed to find Bell when he had almost despaired of finding a youngster from North East England with the right accent, who could dance as well as act. Bell does all his own dancing.
The movie is rated R for language.
It starts this Thursday at Market Square East.

The territory’s national cycling champ, Jamie Keys, broke the 8-year-old St. Croix East End Loop Time Trial record by two seconds on Sunday morning.
The race was held on the hilly, 13.1 mile course around the east end of St. Croix. Rough roads and strong easterly winds made the going difficult for the 20 riders.
"The time trial is often called the ‘race of truth’ because each rider is racing against the clock," said VICF President Michael McQueston. "Tactics and drafting do not play a part, the riders basically go all out for the enitre distance, trying to clock the fastest time."
Keys set a new course record, covering the distance in 34 minutes and 13 seconds and averaging over 22.5 mph. The record had been held jointly by Jeff Miller and Alex Bettancourt.
Kent Bradbury, St. Croix's best triathlete, finished second with a time of 35:44 and Half Ironman organizer Tom Guthrie took third with a 37:25.
Women's champ Sue Brown also raced well, improving her time from last year and breaking the coveted 40-minute mark with a time of 39:41.
In other cycling action, the VICF Mountain Bike Team is off to Tortola this weekend, where Keys and Brown will attempt to defend there lead in the Caribbean Cup Mountain Bike Series. The next local event will be St. Croix's hosting of the Caribbean Cup on May 26 and 27.
Anyone interested in learning more about cycling in the VI contact McQueston at 772-2343
East End Loop Time Trial results
Men's Jamie Keys 34.13; 2. Kent Bradbury 35.44; 3. Tom Guthrie 37.25; 4. John Riggs 38.15; 5. John Harper 38.17; 6. Kuky Barrios 39.15; 7. Bob Halk 40.41; 8. Jamie Bate 40.56; 9. Kevin Burton 41.35; 10. Juancito Gario 43.09; 11. Luke Defour 44.16; 12. Victor Cruz 45.30; 13. Will Franks 48.01; 14. Danney Fontanelle 49.39; 15. Jose Diaz 50.33; 16. Carlos Hernandez 55.18
Women
1. Sue Brown 39.41; 2. Theresa Harper 43.26; 3. Louise DePuy 44.40

Editor's note: Following are miscellaneous community announcements relating to V.I. Carnival activities. The article is being updated as material becomes available. For a detailed schedule of Carnival events, see the unofficial Source guide to Carnivall 2001, posted on both the Community/Other stuff and Showcase pages.
April 25, 2001 – Banks will have special hours through the end of the week,. V.I. Community Bankwill be closed Friday and Saturday. Chase Manhattan Bank will close all branches at 12 noon Wednesday. Thursday the Waterfront branch will be open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Estate Thomas hours will be 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. All branches on St. Thomas and St. John will be closed Friday. Scotiabank branches will be open 9 a.m. – 12 noon Wednesday, 12 noon to 3 p.m. Thursday and closed Friday and Saturday. Banco Popular lobbies will be open 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon Wednesday. Thursday Fort Mylner, Red Hook and Sugar Estate Branches will be opne from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Hibuiscus Alley and Main brank will be open 1 – 5 p.m. All branches on St. Thomas will be closed Friday and Saturday.
All Water and Power Authority customer service offices will be closed Thursday and Friday. The St. Thomas customer service office will close at 12 noon Wednesday. The St. Croix customer service office will be open Satureday from 8 a.m. – 12 noon, but closed on St. Thomas.
All post offices on St. Thomas will be closed on Saturday, because of the Carnival Adults' Parade. A release from the U.S. Postal Service stated that the day is "one of the Virgin Islands' budgeted holidays, and there will be no retail services" on the island. However, it said, Express Mail will be delivered to residential and business customers, and holders of post office boxes will be able to access them as usual.
Telephone company offices throughout the territory will be closed Friday and Saturday in observance of the Carnival parade days, according to a release from Innovative Telephone. However, the release states, the repair service number, 912, will be in operation between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. both days. Normal business hours are to resume Monday.
Downtown Charlotte Amalie workers coming from the east don't have to worry about finding a parking space in town Thursday morning as J'Ouvert is winding down. Shuttle service into town will be available between 8 and 9 a.m., according to a release from the V.I. Carnival Committee. Shuttles will depart from the old Grand Union parking lot. To learn more about this service, call the committee office at 776-3112.
The Pollyberg Texaco service station will be closed on Saturday because of the Adults' Parade, according to an advisory. The airport and Smith Bay Texaco stations will observe normal business hours.

April 25, 2001 — With gasoline prices increasing on the mainland, it could just be a matter of time before prices in the territory see a spike.
In the past two weeks, the price of gas on the mainland has increased about 13 cents, despite the fact that oil prices haven’t gone up. Locally, one person on St. Thomas, who asked not to be identified, said that Texaco Caribbean Inc. last Thursday increased prices of the regular and premium gas it supplies to dealers by 4 cents. He also noted, however, that the majority of Texaco dealers have yet to pass the increase on to customers.
"I really think we will see more increases as soon as the prices in the U.S. have increased by 13 cents . . . and we have only seen this increase so far," he said. "The dealers (Texaco and Esso) will have to increase soon."
Crude oil futures rose Monday following the surge in gasoline prices and signals that OPEC would not increase production anytime soon.
Alex Moorhead, a vice president at local oil refiner Hovensa, said he couldn’t discuss wholesale gas prices on St. Thomas. He did say that Hovensa hasn’t raised its wholesale price of gas since February, when the company increased the cost of a gallon of gas by 3 cents. That followed a reduction of 5 cents in January.
"We do review our prices generally monthly and compare them with various benchmarks," Moorhead said. "There hasn’t been any increase since February."
As for the traditionally higher cost of gas on St. Thomas and St. John versus St. Croix where the Hovensa is located, Moorhead noted that the product has to go through at least "two hands" before it reaches the retailer.

April 24, 2001 – In a hearing Tuesday night, several senators signaled their intent to approve a zoning change to accommodate construction of 177 timeshare units adjacent to Marriott Frenchman's Reef as well as several other zone change requests.
Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd said he will put all of the requests on the Legislature's agenda for a vote at the next session, May 14.
Neighbors of Marriott who came to testify against the expansion had to wait until 10 p.m. to do so. Although it was the largest and most controversial zoning request on the agenda, it was left to last. The meeting began at 5 p.m. and went on until midnight.
Dean Plaskett, commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources, recommended approval of the Marriott project.
He said some of the concerns that opponents raised could be addressed when the project goes before the Coastal Zone Management Committee for a CZM permit.
Marriott is planning the expansion on about 11 acres of land northwest of the resort. Approximately six acres are already zoned R-3 (Residential-medium density) and will permit the density the company seeks. The other four acres are zoned R-1 (Residential-low density), a designation that will allow for only 24 homes.
Six neighboring residents or their individual representatives testified on the project, all in opposition. A few more had lined up to speak but apparently gave up as the hearing dragged on into the night.
Opponents said the four acres were zoned R-1 when the hotel was built in order to act as a green belt and buffer between a commercial property and the residential neighborhoods of Estate Bakkeroe and Estate Bellevue. They voiced concerns about traffic congestion, noise, erosion, invasion of privacy and a change in the aesthetic quality of the area. The issues were basically the same that they had raised in August at the DPNR public hearing.
Speaking for Marriott, John Kennedy said the resort had made numerous changes to the plans in response to the opposition voiced then. Originally designed as 234 units, the project was scaled back to 177. Instead of 14 buildings, there are now six. Rather than two parking garages, there is now one. And none of the buildings will be six stories; the highest will be five. He said even the orientation of one building had been changed so that it overlooks the sea rather than a neighboring home.
Attorney George Dudley, who did most of the talking for Marriott, said once the expansion is complete, it is projected to pay $3.1 million a year in local taxes, including $1.7 million in property taxes. That compares to an annual contribution of $96,000 now.
Over the next 10 years, Dudley said, the Virgin Islands will gain $440 million because of the development. He estimated the cost of project at more than $97 million.
Senators voiced strong support for another, smaller resort development, again over the objections of some neighboring residents who testified in opposition.
Contractor Joe Hodge won a friendly reception for his request to rezone 5.5 acres of land at Cabrita Point from R-1 to W-1 (Waterfront-pleasure) to provide for a small marina and convention center and 32 condominium units. The plans include a breakwater.
Andrea King, president of the Red Hook Community Alliance, said a breakwater will change the dynamics of the beaches at both Vessup Bay and Bluebeard's Beach. Other concerns included the commercialization of one of the few undeveloped beaches left on St. Thomas (Vessup), possible destruction of turtle nesting and feeding habitats, and the condition of the Cabrita Point Road.
Again Plaskett said those concerns can be addressed by CZM. He recommended approval of the zoning change.
Hodge said the development is just the continuation of one started in the 1980s. He said he plans to invest about $6 million.
Sen. Emmett Hansen II said he had worked with Hodge on a construction project which Hodge paid out of his own pocket to improve. "I have absolutely no question about Mr. Hodge's commitment to making sure things are done right," Hansen said.
Senators appeared ready to follow DPNR's recommendation on Roy Anduze's request for a zoning change at the site of his family home on Raphune Hill. Anduze said he wanted a change from R-2 to B-2 (Business-secondary) so he could turn the house his father built in 1954 into a restaurant.
He said the area is no longer residential, but his closest neighbor, Robert Moron, argued that their section is residential. Moron said the B-2 rating allows 197 different uses. He suggested Anduze seek a variance on the property instead. This would allow a restaurant but none of the other 196 uses.
A variance was DPNR's recommendation, with the condition that Anduze also widen and pave the access road. Some senators said they believed Anduze should get the zoning change, but the consensus appeared to be for a variance.
Senators expressed general support for two other rezoning requests. One is by Casey Smith for a parcel of land in Bovoni from R-2 to B-3 to make way for a computer repair service, auto security installation and apparel printing. The other is by Samuel and Gloria Lettsome for 2.5 acres from R-1 to R-2 in order to subdivide the property to deed it to their children.