A delegation of lawmakers from the U.S. Virgin Islands will ply the waters to the British Virgin Islands Friday morning for a meeting on fishing regulations that have kept local commercial fishermen out of BVI waters for years.
The contingent of senators is being led by Sen. Norma Samuel, secretary for intergovernmental and territorial affairs, and Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole and Carlton Dowe. Harry Clinton of the Game Fishing Club will also attend Friday's negotiations.
Pickard said the meeting follows on the heels of recent public hearings convened by the Senate Finance Committee into the decline of the local marine industry. Samuel said that the initial public forums on the marine industry have "provided a wealth of information and we are acting upon it right away. Several measures are now being drafted to address the industry's concerns."
Samuel said the main item for discussion will be the issuance of game fishing licenses to USVI boats and those flagged in the United States. "Game fishing is a big business and a significant part of our economy," she said. "Unfortunately, the fish don't stay still or study borders."
She said there is a need to have V.I. boats get licenses in the BVI and their boats licensed in the territory.
She acknowledged that the negotiations will not be easy as the BVI is a possession of England and their rights must be respected. At the same time, Samuel said, "We are all brothers and sisters sharing from the same resources." She said she hoped a middle ground could be reached which will be satisfactory to fishermen and government leaders in both the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.

A delegation of lawmakers from the U.S. Virgin Islands will ply the waters to the British Virgin Islands Friday morning for a meeting on fishing regulations that have kept local commercial fishermen out of BVI waters for years.
The contingent of senators is being led by Sen. Norma Samuel, secretary for intergovernmental and territorial affairs, and Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole and Carlton Dowe. Harry Clinton of the Game Fishing Club will also attend Friday's negotiations.
Samuel said the meeting follows on the heels of recent public hearings convened by the Senate Finance Committee into the decline of the local marine industry. Samuel said that the initial public forums on the marine industry have "provided a wealth of information and we are acting upon it right away. Several measures are now being drafted to address the industry's concerns."
Pickard said the main item for discussion will be the issuance of game fishing licenses to USVI boats and those flagged in the United States. "Game fishing is a big business and a significant part of our economy," she said. "Unfortunately, the fish don't stay still or study borders."
She said there is a need to have V.I. boats get licenses in the BVI and their boats licensed in the territory.
She acknowledged that the negotiations will not be easy as the BVI is a possession of England and their rights must be respected. At the same time, Samuel said, "We are all brothers and sisters sharing from the same resources." She said she hoped a middle ground could be reached which will be satisfactory to fishermen and government leaders in both the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.

A delegation of lawmakers from the U.S. Virgin Islands will ply the waters to the British Virgin Islands Friday morning for a meeting on fishing regulations that have kept local commercial fishermen out of BVI waters for years.
The contingent of senators is being led by Sen. Norma Samuel, secretary for intergovernmental and territorial affairs, and Sens. Donald "Ducks" Cole and Carlton Dowe. Harry Clinton of the Game Fishing Club will also attend Friday's negotiations.
Pickard said the meeting follows on the heels of recent public hearings convened by the Senate Finance Committee into the decline of the local marine industry. Samuel said that the initial public forums on the marine industry have "provided a wealth of information and we are acting upon it right away. Several measures are now being drafted to address the industry's concerns."
Samuel said the main item for discussion will be the issuance of game fishing licenses to USVI boats and those flagged in the United States. "Game fishing is a big business and a significant part of our economy," she said. "Unfortunately, the fish don't stay still or study borders."
She said there is a need to have V.I. boats get licenses in the BVI and their boats licensed in the territory.
She acknowledged that the negotiations will not be easy as the BVI is a possession of England and their rights must be respected. At the same time, Samuel said, "We are all brothers and sisters sharing from the same resources." She said she hoped a middle ground could be reached which will be satisfactory to fishermen and government leaders in both the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Smith Bay Posse regrouped themselves Tuesday and Wednesday nights in the championship round of the Donald O. Senthill Softball League at Emile Griffith Park. The Posse beat the Marlins both nights to even the series at two games apiece, with 11-9 scores each evening.
On Tuesday, the Posse got their first lead of the series with six runs in the top of the third inning. However, the relentless Marlins answered with four runs of their own to go back on top, 7-6. The Posse was not to be denied, however, as they tied the score with one run in the top of the fourth inning.
The Posse defense kicked into gear as they held the Marlins scoreless in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings. The Posse bats did answer with two runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to retake the lead, 11-7. The Marlins responded with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but it was not enough.
Frankie Brathwaite emerged victorious for the Posse as Sandino Brito suffered the defeat for the Marlins. For the Posse, Kenneth "Cusu" Joseph was three for four, and Anson Larcheveaux was two for two. For the Marlins Miguel Guerreo was three for three with a solo home run in the sixth inning and Frankie Olea was two for three with a three-run homer in the third inning.
On Wednesday the Posse's defense was once again stellar as great defensive plays were made in the to keep the Marlins scoreless in the first two innings. Then the Posse quickly jumped out on top with two runs in the first and tagged on an additional three runs in the second inning. The Marlins bats came to life with three runs in the third inning and one additional run in the fourth inning to close the gap to one run, 5-4.
The Posse's offense once again rebounded with two runs in the fourth and four in the fifth innings. The Marlins were now down seven runs going into the top of the sixth inning. The Marlins then erupted for five runs, four of those scoring on a grand slam from Kacy Hendricks. This prompted the Posse's manager to remove starting pitcher Cyril Battiste and bring back Tuesday's winning pitcher Brathwaite. Brathwaite did just that as he got the Posse out of the inning and retired the side in the seventh inning.
Marlins pitcher Elvis Lewis picked up the lost. Battiste was rewarded with the victory as Brathwaite received a save. For the Marlins, Carlos David was three for three. For the Posse, Kirk Thomas was two for two.
The best of seven championship series is tied at 2-2. Game five of the championship series will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night. The series will be aired live on WVWI, Radio One, 1000 AM.

The seesaw battles continued Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Emile Griffith Park in the Donald O. Senthill Softball League female championship games. Cummin 2 Cum won the marathon nine-inning game on Tuesday, 13-12. However, the Angels squeaked out a victory, 8-7, on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, neither team could pull away from the other. The Angels held a three-run lead after the third inning, 8-5. Cummin 2 Cum took a 9-8 lead with two two-run innings in the fifth and sixth innings.
The Angels were held scoreless for three innings, the fourth though sixth, then tied the game at 10 with two runs in the seventh. Both teams scored single runs in the eight inning. Cummin 2 Cum tapped on two runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 13-11 lead. Angela Frett smashed a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. However, the Angels were unable to score any more runs.
Geralda Williams pick up the victory in relief of Colette Morris for Cummin 2 Cum. Gail Joseph absorbed the loss for the Angels.
For Cummin 2 Cum, Lynnia Liburd was the offensive leader, going four for five at the plate including a two-run home run in the fifth inning. Gail Christopher contributed with three hits in four at bats. Syretta Jennings led the Angel's offense with a three for four performance.
On Wednesday, the Angels made some changes in the their lineup. Joycelyn Lee Bobb took the mound as Gail Joseph played first base and Chanika Brathwaite moved to shortstop. These moves made little difference in the defense. The Angels, who committed eight errors in game three, made a total of five in game four.
The Angels, who only got six hits, took advantage of the wildness of Cummin 2 Cum starting pitcher Morris. The walks allowed the Angels to score five runs in the top of the second inning. The Angels lead 7-3 after five innings.
The Angels added a valuable run in the top of the sixth inning. Cummin 2 Cum rallied back for three runs in the bottom of the inning and tagged on another run in the seventh.
However, Angels manager then called on Joseph to put out the fire as she came in to retire Cummin 2 Cum to end the game. Joseph got a save as Bobb received a win for Cummin 2 Cum. Morris took the loss.
Toni Whitehead continued her two for three performance in every game that she has played. For Cummin 2 Cum Morris was two for three and Christopher was two for four with two RBIs.
Cummin 2 Cum manager Allen "Soop" Brown's only commented after the game were "we were missing our shortstop, Laura Isaac. However, she'll be here for the next game. " Brown added, "The game was clos—anyone could have won this game."
The best-of-seven female championship series is now tied at 2-2. Game five of the championship series will be at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday night. The series will be aired live on WVWI, Radio One, 1000 AM.

An AT&T repair ship mended a shredded undersea cable Wednesday afternoon near Isla Verde off the coast of Puerto Rico, restoring telecommunications services on St. Thomas that had been interrupted since early Monday.
The outage hit local long-distance carriers Sprint and Telefonica Larga Distancia of the Virgin Islands and Internet service provider VIAccess. According to Clayton Perry, sales supervisor in the territory for TLD, service came back up around 3 p.m. Wednesday.
"As far as I know, none of the carriers have had any problems since then," Perry said Thursday afternoon.
Courtney Wynter, general manager of AT&T of the Virgin Islands, said Wednesday that AT&T assisted in the repair effort because it has the greatest resources in the region.
It is still unknown exactly how the cable was damaged. Some have suggested that an unexpected storm surge on Sunday, when seas off Puerto Rico were running at least 12 feet high, may have contributed.

NEWS FROM CHARLOTTE AMALIE HIGH SCHOOL
Hawks Squawks Staff
This school year, we at C.A.H.S. have come a long way on a journey far from ending. We started off a little shaky at first but we are on track once again and students, teachers, and administration are working hard together to make up for lost time. Our C.A.H.S. family is doing its best to make this school year as normal as possible.
Seniors were having some difficulties catching up for Introductory Night, but they came through with an amazing show. They are now planning for the next event, C.A.H.S.’s very own "Showtime at the Amallo." In fact, it is a replica of "Showtime at the Apollo." The same rules apply and it is considered to be one of the semi-major events of the school year. The high students are a bit rougher than the audience on television; but there are no hard feelings after the show and everyone usually has a very good time.
The show will be held in the CAHS auditorium AT 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets are $8 each.
The juniors are also very busy. They just recently elected their junior class officers. They are, Deon LeCointe as president, Addisnette Williams as vice-president, Charaine Skelton as public relations officer, Keneta Webster as treasurer, and Hadiya Silcott as secretary. The officers are planning to meet to start planning the Senior Prom and the entire Junior class is preparing for the Junior Show.
EXAM TIME at CHARLOTTE AMALIE HIGH SCHOOL
The time to take first semester exams is nearing for the students at the C.A.H.S. February is an unusual time to take exams in comparison to previous years, but this is due to the late school start and a teachers’ strike in mid-October. Exams are usually taken in the second week of January. Exams will be administered on the Feb. 13 and 14. C.A.H.S. Students should have already started to prepare for the final examinations to round out a fairly successful first semester. C.A.H.S. is now back on track after a struggle to get started and the nearing exams is proof of that. Exam dates may have been altered a bit, but students do not seem to be negatively affected by the slight change.
Also, on Feb. 19, the second semester will begin and students will go to their new classes. Students that have not yet gone to their guidance counselor for changes are encouraged to please do so now. It is record evaluation time and also the time when students may change incorrect schedules or make final decisions on elective classes.

The Virgin Islands received less than 70 percent of its normal rainfall in the past year. Official statistics from the National Weather Service in San Juan confirm earlier anecdotal reports of a very dry 2000.
The service gathers its information on the Virgin Islands from several sites on each of the three main islands where volunteers keep NWS-approved rain gauges, log the rainfall, and report the findings to regional headquarters. Staff in the San Juan office figure the average for each island based on the reports from the various sites.
Eloy Colon, a hydrologist in the San Juan office, shared his findings this week with The Source. According to his chart, the total rainfall last year on St. Thomas and nearby St. John was almost the same, 29.61 inches on St. Thomas and 29.27 inches on St. John. In each case, the amount represents just 64 percent of the average yearly rainfall.
On St. Croix, the total was slightly higher – 30.97 inches – and that represents 67 percent of the annual rainfall for that island.
March, which does not usually see heavy downpours, was the driest month last year. St. Croix and St. Thomas recorded less than an inch; St. John recorded just over, or 1.04 inches.
But even traditionally rainy months such as April and May saw more sunshine than pennies from heaven. All three islands logged fewer than two inches in April, a month in which Colon said the "normal" amount is three inches. And May's rainfall last year fell about a half-inch short of the normal 4.62 inches.
The NWS collects data from Red Hook, Cyril E. King Airport and Wintberg on St. Thomas; from Mt. Piliear, Estate Annally, Cotton Valley, East Hill, Estate deSight and the Henry Rohlsen Airport field house on St. Croix; and from Caneel Bay, Coral Bay and Cruz Bay on St. John.

Earlier this month, Marjorie and Ellerton Harmer were honored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Virgin Islands for their 45 years of service to the faith. The Harmers were given a beautiful framed calligraphy with a quote from Baha'i writings. The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of St. Thomas will host their own dinner on Saturday for the Harmers. The dinner will be attended by local Baha'is, family and friends from St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Tortola.
The Harmers came here on Jan. 12, 1956, without much knowledge of the Caribbean but in response to the request to "plant the seeds of the faith" in every locale. The Baha'i faith has no clergy and the expansion of the religion is based on teaching efforts and the growth of the administrative arms of the faith. The Harmers worked with other Baha'is in the region and when the size of the communities grew there was a National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands. Proof of their efforts is that for the past 35 years there has been the National Spiritual Assembly of the Virgin Islands.
The Harmers have also been instrumental in working with Baha'is worldwide to spread the message of their religion by hosting activities and taking part in various local, national and international teaching activities. Their homes in Sugar Estate and later Bonne Esperance have been affectionately referred to as the "Harmer Hotel" and are like a revolving door to many esteemed members of the Baha'i community and visitors to the islands.
Looking back on their experiences over the past 45 years, Marjorie and Ellerton admit that there were difficulties but there were so many "golden moments". The couple also celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday. Their shared commitment to the Baha'i faith and their family have provided them with the strength to face the major disappointments, including the loss of their son Tony, damage to their home with Hurricane Hugo and Hurricane Marilyn, and deteriorating hearing and vision.
They were both very involved in the activities and interests of their children: Susan (a former speech pathologist, now travel agent), Tony (pianist) and Michele (an elementary education teacher on St. Croix).
The family has grown with five grandchildren—Michael, Munirah, taMicah Jerme, Mikyba and Minkah—and an extended family of friends throughout the islands. Both Marjorie and Ellerton are happy to have spent most of their lives here. Ellerton, now 83, recalls that he was "only 39" when he came here and has lived here longer than anywhere else. Marjorie will be 80 in August and still feels the decision to come here was the right one.
In addition to raising the family and serving the faith in several administrative positions over the years the Harmers were instrumental in ensuring that Baha'i marriages are accepted as legal in the Virgin Islands and that children from Baha'i families can be excused from school on Baha'i holy days.
The Baha'i faith is an independent world religion with principles including the oneness of God, the oneness of religion and the oneness of humanity. For more information on the Baha'i faith call 774-3648 or email: NSA@vi.bahai.org, or visit the Web site at www.vi.bahai.org.

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