The 17th Annual Memorial Day Two Mile Road Race will be held on Memorial Day, May 29 at 6 a.m. The race is in memory of Andrew Edwards, founder of the Finmen Ocean Swimmers, founding member of the Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation and long-time coach of the Bad News Bears Little League Team and a V.I. Pace Runner.
Registration begins at 5 a.m. at the V.I. Family Sports & Fitness Center. The course is from Beeston Hill to Christiansted. Awards will be made to the top male and female finishers and to the school with fastest team of five runners per team.
For more information call V.I. Pace Runners 777-0258.

Water and Power Authority board members are moving to collect the $30-million plus account-due bill owed by the V.I. government.
The board authorized the utility’s management to send letters to those governmental agencies that have accounts 60 days past due. If the offenders don’t make a "meaningful" effort to settle their bills they will be shut off, according to WAPA board chairwoman Carol Burke.
Burke said debts owed by some agencies are more serious than others. Meanwhile, WAPA will send letters to the following entities, among others:
– The Legislature, which owes approximately $195,000 for electricity and $31,000 for water.
– The Housing Authority, which owes approximately $5.7 million for water.
– The Housing Finance Authority, which owes approximately $350,000 for water.
– Port Authority, which owes approximately $84,000 for electricity and $144,000 for water.
Burke, a former V.I. senator, said the government’s debt has been building for several years but she and other new board members won’t allow it to grow larger. She said the lack of payment by the government is affecting the "viability" of WAPA’s operations.
"Our approach is different and we definitely intend to collect what’s due…," she said. "We cannot continue to ignore the situation."
The board made its decision Thursday with Burke, Claude Molloy, Arthur Downing, G. Luz James and William Lomax voting yes; Andrew Rutnik voting no; and Ira Hobson abstaining. Dean Plaskett was absent.

Travel media invited to visit USVI at Travel Media Showcase
All travel journalists are encouraged to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands' booth at Travel Media Showcase at the Atlantic City Convention Center on June 11-14. Please look for the USVI booth, No. 311. A representative will be glad to speak with you about upcoming press trips and story ideas.
New brochures and road signs guide travelers on St. Croix's Heritage Trail
For visitors wanting to go on a historical and cultural adventure, the newly created St. Croix Heritage Trail is the perfect excursion. Recently named one of 50 nationwide Millennium Legacy Trails, the 72-mile driving tour presents many of the island's well-known and hidden treasures. A colorful, fact-filled brochure, including maps, guides travelers between the trail's historical sites and attractions. Recently erected brown and white road signs with a sugar mill symbol point the way to historic sites. Visitors can explore the island on a self-guided driving tour which features fascinating historic attractions, cultural landmarks, scenic overlooks and restored points of interest. Throughout the trail are also opportunities to learn about the island's oral traditions, music, food and agricultural history. Please note: Call the St. Croix Landmarks Society at (340) 772-0598 for additional information or to request a brochure.
St. Thomas's Bolongo Bay offers 'Travel Agent Appreciation Rates'
Travel agents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Bolongo Bay Beach Club & Villas on St. Thomas by taking advantage of the resort's "Travel Agent Appreciation Rates." Valid for bookings and travel now through Dec. 20, the rates are $75 for the European Plan, $99 for the Continental Plan and $250 for the all-inclusive program. All rates are per room, per night and do not include tax and service charges (except for the all-inclusive option). Agents may bring a guest to share the room. More details about these rates are available by calling (340) 775-1800 or (800) 524-4746. Visit the resort on the Internet at www.bolongo.com.
St. Thomas to host its 28th annual USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament
The 28th annual staging of the USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament, one of the most competitive saltwater fishing events in the world, will be held off the waters of St. Thomas on Aug. 11-16. The event consists of three competitions — an angler tournament, a crew tournament and a boat tournament, operated simultaneously. Each competition offers prize money, and the angler who catches the tournament's first 1,000-pound Atlantic Blue Marlin wins a million dollars. Proceeds benefit the Virgin Islands Council Boy Scouts of America. For more details, call (888) 2FISHVI (234-7484) or (340) 775-9500. Visit the tournament web site at www.usvi.net/bsa.
St. Croix Environmental Association purchases key habitat with anonymously donated funds
An anonymous benefactor with a love of birds has made it possible for the St. Croix Environmental Association to purchase 60 acres of land at Southgate on the island's east end. The newly named Southgate Pond Nature Preserve was acquired with a donation of $822,697. The move means a prime nesting habitat for birds and endangered sea turtles will be protected forever from commercial development. The property encompasses the eastern third of the salt pond east to Chenay Bay Beach Resort and the land between Green Cay Beach and East End Road. Along with the key sea turtle nesting beach, a dominant feature of the property is the salt pond, which is owned by the V.I. government. Southgate pond is one of the most important ponds in the USVI for local and migrating birds. Some 96 species have been recorded at the site, including 26 that are considered threatened or endangered in the Virgin Islands.
The Westin Resort St. John offers 'Sizzling Summer Sale' and 'Summer Jammers Camp'
Vacationers wanting to stay in one of the territory's most upscale and luxurious properties at unprecedented savings should take advantage of the "Sizzling Summer Sale" promotion being offered by the Westin Resort St. John. Available for travel now through Oct. 31, rates for the "Sizzling Summer Sale" start at $99 per room/per night (double occupancy). This rate represents 67 percent off the regular summer rate of $299 per night. To make the vacation experience even more fun for children, the resort is continuing its "Summer Jammers Camp." From mid-June through mid-August, children will enjoy arts and crafts activities, treasure hunts, seaside hiking adventures, exciting field trips and visits from local artisans and island "celebrities."
Families staying at the resort will also appreciate the "Kids Eat Free" special. Now through Dec. 22, kids 12 years of age and under eat free at the resort when accompanied by an adult. As always, children 18 years of age and younger stay free of charge when staying in their parents' room, and families have the option of getting a second room for children at a 50-percent-off savings. More information about these offers is available by calling the Westin Resort St. John at (340) 693-8000, (800) WESTIN-1, or visiting the Web site at www.westin.com.
St. Thomas's Grand Hotel will receive facelift and new name
The historic Grand Hotel building on St. Thomas will receive a $2 million facelift that will transform the property into a premier tourist destination, retail shopping and business area. The renovated mixed-use building complex will be re-named the Grand Galleria and is expected to open in November. Two new features of the planned Grand Galleria are a glass skylight atrium and an indoor walkway. The Grand Hotel renovation is the second phase of the entire $4 million Grand Hotel block project. Opened in 1840, the historic, three-story building housed the first overseas visitors to the island for almost 60 years. For more information, contact Lockhart Properties at (340) 776-1900.
USVI hotels announce personnel changes
Marriott International has appointed Jayne Hillner general manager of Marriott's Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Beach Resorts on St. Thomas. Hillner is the first woman in the company to hold a general manager position in the Caribbean and Latin American region. Marriott International also recently appointed David Yamada general manager at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort on St. Thomas. Yamada will oversee all aspects of operation at the resort. Both appointments are effective immediately.

The proposed agreements for the sale of the Water And Power Authority to Southern Energy would completely eliminate the representation of the working men and women by a collective bargaining unit if the bill becomes law.
I would like specifically to draw attention to Section 213(c) of the proposal, which states that the provisions of Title 24, Chapter 13, are to be eliminated from the V.I. Code. This means that if a strike is threatened or becomes actual, the management of the new corporation could go to a court of law and seek a restraining order or a permanent or temporary injunction, something which could not now happen under the law of the Virgin Islands.
Even more detrimental to the working men and women within WAPA is Section 214, paragraph 2, of the bill, which directs the governor to nominate a board of inquiry when a dispute occurs within the new company between management and employees. The union is completely eliminated from the collective bargain process.
Instead the board of inquiry shall submit its report to the governor, who in turn shall submit it to the attorney general, who then shall submit it to the commissioner of Labor, who shall then have the workers accept the final and best offer of management. To say the least, this is union busting and puts the cause of the working men and women of these islands four or five decades back. It will not stand. It cannot be allowed to stand!"
Glen J. Smith
President, Local 1825
American Federation of Teachers

The proposed agreements for the sale of the Water And Power Authority to Southern Energy would completely eliminate the representation of the working men and women by a collective bargaining unit if the bill becomes law.
I would like specifically to draw attention to Section 213(c) of the proposal, which states that the provisions of Title 24, Chapter 13, are to be eliminated from the V.I. Code. This means that if a strike is threatened or becomes actual, the management of the new corporation could go to a court of law and seek a restraining order or a permanent or temporary injunction, something which could not now happen under the law of the Virgin Islands.
Even more detrimental to the working men and women within WAPA is Section 214, paragraph 2, of the bill, which directs the governor to nominate a board of inquiry when a dispute occurs within the new company between management and employees. The union is completely eliminated from the collective bargain process.
Instead the board of inquiry shall submit its report to the governor, who in turn shall submit it to the attorney general, who then shall submit it to the commissioner of Labor, who shall then have the workers accept the final and best offer of management. To say the least, this is union busting and puts the cause of the working men and women of these islands four or five decades back. It will not stand. It cannot be allowed to stand!"
Glen J. Smith
President, Local 1825
American Federation of Teachers

The proposed agreements for the sale of the Water And Power Authority to Southern Energy would completely eliminate the representation of the working men and women by a collective bargaining unit if the bill becomes law.
I would like specifically to draw attention to Section 213(c) of the proposal, which states that the provisions of Title 24, Chapter 13, are to be eliminated from the V.I. Code. This means that if a strike is threatened or becomes actual, the management of the new corporation could go to a court of law and seek a restraining order or a permanent or temporary injunction, something which could not now happen under the law of the Virgin Islands.
Even more detrimental to the working men and women within WAPA is Section 214, paragraph 2, of the bill, which directs the governor to nominate a board of inquiry when a dispute occurs within the new company between management and employees. The union is completely eliminated from the collective bargain process.
Instead the board of inquiry shall submit its report to the governor, who in turn shall submit it to the attorney general, who then shall submit it to the commissioner of Labor, who shall then have the workers accept the final and best offer of management. To say the least, this is union busting and puts the cause of the working men and women of these islands four or five decades back. It will not stand. It cannot be allowed to stand!"
Glen J. Smith
President, Local 1825
American Federation of Teachers

The St. Thomas Youth Soccer Association under-10 Peacemakers are off to Anguilla for a weekend of at least four games.
About 20 players plus their coach, Robert "Trip" Dunville, and chaperones were planning to leave St. Thomas Friday evening for the trip.
STYSA representative Tanya Benjamin said Dunville and his team are "prepared and is looking forward to the competition."
The skill level of the teams in Anguilla is unknown, she added, "but the Peacemakers are highly skilled, focused and very competitive."
The association took part in soccer play in Anguilla two years ago, then planned to host a return visit last summer, but "the Anguilla team was unable to come to St. Thomas," Benjamin said.
For this year, the Anguillan Soccer Association hoped to have a tournament involving St. Croix players as well, she said, but because of financial considerations, St. Croix was unable to participate.
Meantime, the STYSA annual meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 22, at Hook Line and Sinker restaurant in Frenchtown. Players, parents, and others interested in supporting youth soccer are invited to attend. The agenda includes status reports, discussion of plans for the coming year and the election of executive board members. For further information, call Trevor Velinor at 693-2213 or Benjamin at 776-2105.

Wendy's restaurant at Mandela Circle reopened Friday morning in time to serve the lunch crowd after having been closed Thursday by Health Department Environmental Health Division inspectors who found six of the employees on duty working without food-handler cards.
A restaurant manager who declined to give his name said Friday morning that the workers "had their cards, they just weren't carrying them with them" when the inspection occurred.He refused further comment.
Environmental Health Division director Ethlyn Joseph said the employees did not possess current cards, contrary to the manager's claim.
After a flurry of activity Friday morning to arrange for the employees's food-handler card applications to be processed promptly so that the popular fast-food restaurant could reopen as soon as possible, it all became a semi-moot point.
"I went over to do the reinspection at 11:45 a.m.," Joseph said shortly after noon, "and all of the employees there did have their cards." Those on duty consisted of two managers and 12 other workers, she said, but did not include the six who had failed to produce cards on Thursday.
Virgin Islands restaurant workers by law must carry their health cards with them whenever they are on duty. "Some of these are new employees," Joseph said, and if they do not have cards, they are not allowed to work until they get them.
A sign on the Wendy's doors early Friday said the restaurant would be "open for lunch today" — although when told of this at mid-morning, Joseph said it was news to her. "I'm calling them right now," she said shortly before 11 a.m. "They cannot open without a reinspection."
After making the call, she said the restaurant wouldn't reopen until a reinspection confirmed that all employees on duty had current health cards. She said she had been at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital all morning consulting with Dr. Audrea Thomas, acting Environmental Health Division officer, to expedite the issuance of the cards.
"I realize the restaurant wants to be open, and I'm trying to help them do that," Joseph said. However, she added, she was aware of ways restaurant owners sometimes try to avoid having to produce cards.
Acting Health Commissioner Lucien Moolenaar said, "The staff is well aware of the problem and will do everything to expedite" the processing of the employees' applications.
Joseph said she wants the community to feel it has safe places to eat. It is a familiar practice at many restaurants for the owner or manager to have on hand an envelope containing photocopies of all employees' current health cards, she noted. Had that been the case yesterday, she said, and had copies of all the employees' cards been available, Wendy's would have remained open.

The latest illegal immigrants to be apprehended after coming ashore in the Virgin Islands appeared in U.S. District Court on Thursday, the day after one group was picked up on St .John and another was taken into custody on St. Thomas.
Ten Haitians who were apprehended in the Fish Bay area on St. John Wednesday morning pleaded guilty to illegal entry and were handed over to U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service authorities. Another Haitian picked up at the same time faces juvenile proceedings, according to court officials.
A total of 17 Chinese nationals facing court proceedings Thursday consisted of six who were arrested with the Haitians on St. John and 11 who were picked up near Mandahl Bay beach on St. Thomas. Of those who landed on St. Thomas, one was reported to be a minor.

Sen. Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg’s request that the inspector general scrutinize Vitran’s books will have to wait until an auditor is available, V.I. Inspector General Steven Van Bevenhoudt said Friday.
Last week, Donastorg wrote Van Beverhoudt requesting that he conduct an audit of the transportation system. Because of Vitran's $12 million operating deficit, the Turnbull administration announced that 62 Vitran workers would be laid off effective May 10. Union leaders have alleged that mismanagement is the root of the problem.
Van Beverhoudt said that while the audit request is legitimate, it will have to wait until he has a free inspector. When that would occur was unclear Friday.
"His request has merit. We know of all the concerns that are being raised," Van Beverhoudt said. "Right now, all our auditors are on assignment. I just can’t jump on it and do it."
In recent Senate hearings, Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson Jr., whose department oversees Vitran, said that approximately $330,000 in transportation funds were used earlier this year to pay trash haulers on St. John.
Thompson was also criticized for not spending part of the $12 million in federal funds the department received last year on the bus service.
In his letter to the inspector general, Donastorg also raised the question of possible mismanagement.
Van Beverhoudt said his office has a staff of 10. Counting himself and his deputy, both of whom handle administrative matters and do audit work, five or six auditors are available at any one time to conduct investigations. Still, he said, the office attempts to accommodate audit requests from legislators as quickly as possible if fraud is suspected and if the requested audits are specific in their scope.
He said he told Donastorg that once he has a free auditor, the request will be addressed.
Nicole Bollentini, Donastorg’s press officer, said the senator believes the audit is "extremely important."
"This is an instance when an audit could be a real service rather than just an informational tool," she said.