The World Trade Organization's latest ruling against foreign sales corporations "has severe consequences for the Virgin Islands," acting Gov. Gerard Luz James, II said in a written statement Friday.
James, who as lieutenant governor has oversight for FSCs, put their value to the V.I. government at "approximately $7 million annually" in franchise taxes.
Thursday the WTO appellate body upheld an earlier decision that the FSC represents a tax subsidy forbidden under WTO rules and that the United States must effectively dismantle the FSC by Oct. 1 of this year.
"The financial impact of such a ruling would be detrimental to the Virgin Islands economy, which is already experiencing an extremely large deficit," James said in his statement.
However, he said he was encouraged by reports that the Clinton administration continues to back the FSC program as a way to encourage U.S. exports.
"I join the National Association of Broadcasters in urging U.S. trade representative Charlene Barshefsky to initiate talks with the European Union," James said. "We (the Office of Corporations and Trademarks) are on top of the situation. We are hopeful about the negotiations and we will continue to keep you informed of the Clinton Administration's progress."
Congress established the Foreign Sales Corporation system as an alternative to a previous program to which U.S. trade partners had objected. Exporters began using FSCs, offshore subsidiaries, in 1985. A portion of the export sales run through the FSC are exempt from federal taxes.
The European Union first signaled its intention to make a formal challenge to the FSC in November 1997. There followed a series of formal and informal discussions between the EU and the US, and the two sides reportedly were negotiating with each other throughout much of the WTO process.
Many observers believe such negotiations will intensify now.
Meanwhile, several US accounting firms have been working for months to develop alternatives to the FSC which will continue to give US exporters some sort of tax relief.

The World Trade Organization's latest ruling against foreign sales corporations "has severe consequences for the Virgin Islands," acting Gov. Gerard Luz James, II said in a written statement Friday.
James, who as lieutenant governor has oversight for FSCs, put their value to the V.I. government at "approximately $7 million annually" in franchise taxes.
Thursday the WTO appellate body upheld an earlier decision that the FSC represents a tax subsidy forbidden under WTO rules and that the United States must effectively dismantle the FSC by Oct. 1 of this year.
"The financial impact of such a ruling would be detrimental to the Virgin Islands economy, which is already experiencing an extremely large deficit," according to James' statement.
However, he said he was encouraged by reports that the Clinton administration continues to back the FSC program as a way to encourage U.S. exports.
"I join the National Association of Broadcasters in urging U.S. trade representative Charlene Barshefsky to initiate talks with the European Union," James said. "We (the Office of Corporations and Trademarks) are on top of the situation. We are hopeful about the negotiations and we will continue to keep you informed of the Clinton Administration's progress."
Congress established the foreign sales corporation as an alternative to a previous program to which U.S. trade partners objected. Exporters began using FSCs, offshore subsidiaries, in 1985. A portion of the export sales run through the FSC are exempt from federal taxes.
The European Union first signaled its intention to make a formal challenge to the FSC in November 1997. There followed a series of formal and informal discussions between the EU and the U.S., and the two sides purportedly were negotiating with each other throughout much of the WTO process.
However, many observers believe such negotiations will intensify now.
Meanwhile, several U.S. accounting firms have been working for months to develop alternatives to the FSC which will continue to give U.S. exporters some sort of tax relief.

The World Trade Organization's latest ruling against foreign sales corporations "has severe consequences for the Virgin Islands," acting Gov. Gerard Luz James, II said in a written statement Friday.
James, who as lieutenant governor has oversight for FSCs, put their value to the V.I. government at "approximately $7 million annually" in franchise taxes.
Thursday the WTO appellate body upheld an earlier decision that the FSC represents a tax subsidy forbidden under WTO rules and that the United States must effectively dismantle the FSC by Oct. 1 of this year.
"The financial impact of such a ruling would be detrimental to the Virgin Islands economy, which is already experiencing an extremely large deficit," James said in his statement.
However, he said he was encouraged by reports that the Clinton administration continues to back the FSC program as a way to encourage U.S. exports.
"I join the National Association of Broadcasters in urging U.S. trade representative Charlene Barshefsky to initiate talks with the European Union," James said. "We (the Office of Corporations and Trademarks) are on top of the situation. We are hopeful about the negotiations and we will continue to keep you informed of the Clinton Administration's progress."
Congress established the Foreign Sales Corporation system as an alternative to a previous program to which U.S. trade partners had objected. Exporters began using FSCs, offshore subsidiaries, in 1985. A portion of the export sales run through the FSC are exempt from federal taxes.
The European Union first signaled its intention to make a formal challenge to the FSC in November 1997. There followed a series of formal and informal discussions between the EU and the US, and the two sides reportedly were negotiating with each other throughout much of the WTO process.
Many observers believe such negotiations will intensify now.
Meanwhile, several US accounting firms have been working for months to develop alternatives to the FSC which will continue to give US exporters some sort of tax relief.

Tuesday is "Spay Day USA," and the Humane Society of St. Thomas is hosting a booth at Port of Sale Shopping Mall in Havensight where applications for free spaying and neutering will be taken from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The national event is designed to overcome the tragedy of animal over population by encouraging all pet owners to get their animals spayed or neutered. The society released some startling and sobering statistics. Every year approximately seven million animals have to be euthanized for lack of a home. One female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs in just six years.
According to shelter spokesperson Lisa Walker, who is handling the Spay Day program, about 2,000 animals on St. Thomas, alone, have to be euthanized every year. "About 200 to 250 animals are brought in every month," Walker said. She explained that most, but not all, of the animals are adoptable, as some are too sick. She said "In our newsletter we always tell the truth, but we are trying to change the truth we have to tell."
Walker stressed that the program is free, and it is not necessary to bring your pet. Also, it's possible to pick up a certificate for another person's pet. The certificates expire April 30.
With the shelter's bereft financial status, Walker said, "people might wonder how we are affording this." She explained that several years ago a local resident, Ethel Brinkerhoff, left a legacy to the shelter with the bequest that the money be used for two things only, no operating costs. The spay and neuter program is one item, and an education program is the other. Local veterinarians do the operations at a discounted fee.
Applications for the certificates are also available at the Animal Shelter in Nadir or at Fine Friends of Feathers in Bovoni.

The Greaseman cometh, the Greaseman goeth: Doug Tracht, a shock-jock DJ known as Greaseman and fired from his last job for making racist remarks, will not be offered a job on St. Croix, according to the owner of WMNG-FM, the Mongoose.
In the wake of a whirlwind of controversy surrounding Tracht’s possible hiring, Jonathan K. Cohen, owner of the station, rescinded the offer, according to a statement Friday.
Tracht was fired from a $1 million-a-year job at WARW, a classic-rock station in the Washington, D.C. area, almost a year ago after playing a song by the black singer Lauryn Hill. Tracht said, "No wonder people drag them behind trucks," referring to the Texas dragging death of James Byrd Jr.
The incident wasn’t Tracht’s first controversy regarding racist remarks. On the air in 1986 at another Washington station, he reportedly said, "Kill four more and we can take a whole week off," in regard to Martin Luther King Jr. and the holiday in his honor.
News of Cohen’s decision to give Tracht a tryout in the predominantly black U.S. Virgin Islands drew an outraged response. Local politicians threatened boycotts of the station and its advertisers if Tracht was hired.
"I would like to note that I believe Mr. Tracht made terrible mistakes in the past," Cohen said. "But I also believe he made a sincere effort to redeem himself in the eyes of those he deeply wounded. It was that belief that prompted me to suppose that we as a community could give him a new chance in a place where his sincerity would be tested every single day."
Cohen said that as a result of his decision to hire Tracht he was intimidated and threatened with physical harm. He said that because he is an "adopted son of the Virgin Islands" concerned about the community, and not as a result of threats, he decided against hiring the controversial DJ.
"I have decided to rescind my offer to Mr. Tracht, and I wish him well on his difficult journey," Cohen said. "To those of you who refused to consider that a man’s character can be redeemed, and to those of you who sat in arrogant judgement of his motives and mine, I reject your moral posturing and your incitement to bad behavior.
"I now consider this matter closed, and will speak no more on the subject."
The issue, however, may not be entirely finished. Raymond "Usie" Richards, a legislative planner in Sen. Adelbert Bryan’s office, said he is planning a protest in front of the Mongoose studios at noon Saturday.
"What needs to be understood clearly is the genesis of this issue," Richards said. "It was presumptuous that we wouldn’t know (Tracht’s) background."
Richards said that despite Cohen’s decision not to hire Tracht, "The residents of St. Croix will no longer tolerate racist activities…"
The Mongoose is part of a four-station chain that broadcasts throughout the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The Greaseman cometh, the Greaseman goeth: Doug Tracht, a shock-jock DJ known as the Greaseman and fired from his last job for making racist remarks will not be offered a job on St. Croix, according to the owner of WMNG-FM, the Mongoose.
Following a whirlwind of controversy surrounding Tracht’s possible job with the Mongoose, Jonathan K. Cohen, owner of the station, rescinded his offer to Tracht, according to a statement Friday.
Tracht was fired from his $1 million-a-year job at WARW, a classic rock station in the Washington, D.C. area, almost a year ago after playing a song by the black singer Lauryn Hill. Tracht said, "No wonder people drag them behind trucks," referring to the Texas dragging death of James Byrd Jr.
Last year’s incident wasn’t Tracht’s first controversy regarding racist remarks. On the air in 1986 at another Washington station, he reportedly said, "Kill four more and we can take a whole week off," in regard to Martin Luther King Jr. and the holiday in his honor.
News of Cohen’s decision to give Tracht a tryout in the predominantly black U.S. Virgin Islands drew an outraged response. Local politicians threatened boycotts of the station and its advertisers if Tracht was hired.
"I would like to note that I believe Mr. Tracht made terrible mistakes in the past," Cohen said. "But I also believe he made a sincere effort to redeem himself in the eyes of those he deeply wounded. It was with that belief that prompted me to suppose that we as a community could give him a new chance in a place where his sincerity would be tested every single day."
Cohen said that as a result of his decision to hire Tracht he was intimidated and threatened with physical harm. He said that because he is an "adopted son of the Virgin Islands" concerned about the community, and not as a result of threats, he decided against hiring the controversial DJ.
"I have decided to rescind my offer to Mr. Tracht, and I wish him well on his difficult journey," Cohen said. "To those of you who refused to consider that a man’s character can be redeemed, and to those of you who sat in arrogant judgement of his motives and mine, I reject your moral posturing and your incitement to bad behavior.
"I now consider this matter closed, and will speak no more on the subject."
The issue, however, may not be entirely finished. Raymond "Usie" Richards, a legislative planner in Sen. Adelbert Bryan’s office, said he is planning a protest in front of the Mongoose studios at noon Saturday.
"What needs to be understood clearly is the genesis of this issue," Richards said. "It was presumptuous that we wouldn’t know (Tracht’s) background."
Richards said that despite Cohen’s decision not to hire Tracht, "The residents of St. Croix will no longer tolerate racist activities…"
The Mongoose is part of a four-station chain that broadcasts throughout the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The Renaissance Grand Beach Resort is hosting a "From the Heart" luncheon from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday for the Virgin Islands Resource Center for the disabled.
The luncheon is also a farewell tribute to Marlene and Deacon Frank Veraart, who are returning to the U.S. mainland after 20 years of service to the organization.
Veraart is one of the founding fathers of VIRCD, and current president of the board of directors. MaryAnn Ramirez, the agency's executive director, said Veraart's leadership is outstanding. "It's evidenced by the continued growth in client enrollment at the agency – we now serve more than 150 people free of charge."
The hotel is donating the space for the luncheon, and offering a special discounted menu rate for the event. In addition, employees from all areas of the resort are donating their time to assist with the luncheon.
"We feel that it is important to give back to a community that has supported us so much over the years," said Tom Calame, hotel director of operations. The hotel has been an active member of theV.I. community for 14 years.
VIRCD is a nonprofit organization that assists children and adults in job training, and provides after school computer classes, as well as an Arts in Technology program.
Tickets for the luncheon are $75, out of which $65 goes directly to VIRCD. To purchase tickets, or for more information contact MaryAnn Ramirez at (340) 774-7517.

We're in a lull between Arts Alive concerts, and after this weekend's "Mahalia" musical, the Reichhold center won't be mounting any productions until STARfest VI in May. But guess what? The gallery scene is jumping. . .
ON THE WALLS I: The new exhibition at The Color of Joy in American Yacht Harbor, a collection of paintings and mixed media pieces by St. Croix artist Judith King, has expected and unanticipated elements. King paints in oil, yet her works are "pastel" in imagery. The numerous petite canvases in the show, less than a foot in height or width, have the same qualities as her larger works — the soft-edges of memory's eye that photographers attain by using a gauze filter. One sees her cottages and seascapes as if through the windshield of a car in a gentle rain. Nostalgia is the overall theme of the show, as King did most of the paintings during a two- year relocation to North Carolina that didn't take. Two of them are St. Thomas-like scenes depicting multi-tiered townscapes of multicolored structures.
The other part of King's show consists of seven pen-and-ink-plus drawings that combine the appeals of graphic design and fine art. Earth tones with matching double and triple matting predominate in images that morph from tamarind pod to mocko jumbie, from shell to dancer. These examples of still life fantasy merit a close-up look. Seeds seen on the inside suggest fetal life; an opened pod for a moment suggests the configuration of the Middle Passage slave ships — yet has a joyful mocko jumbie emerging. These are one viewer's interepretations, unabetted by the artist. Art appreciaton is an interactive process — have a look and see what you think!
The show will hang through March 15. Next, opening with a reception on March 16, will be a show of acrylic paintings by Alexis St. John collectively titled "Lost in Dreams."
ON THE WALLS II: The show of contemporary Cuban art that opened last weekend in the Tillett Gallery reflects, more than anything else, the diversity of painting styles of the seven artists represented. Several local artists and art lovers were fascinated by a slick publication that art dealer Gloria Frank, who spoke about her buying trips to Cuba at the opening Sunday, brought with her. It included profiles and samples of work by several of the artists who have pieces in the show. The "propaganda" level evident in some of the works in the gallery exhibition is subtle, and less anti-capitalist than pro-preservationist.
The show will hang through March 18. Visits by student groups are welcome but should be scheduled in advance. Call 775-1929.
ON THE WALLS III: Sunday afternoon brings the opening reception at Mango Tango for the first showing St. Thomas artist Jens-Peter Kemmler has had in nearly five years — because his "leisure" hours have been devoted to restoring his home and studio from Hurricane Marilyn's wrath. Collectively called "In a Caribbean Garden," it consists of 30 oils, watercolors and sketches of island flora. The most imposing piece is a triptych nearly 7 feet across and 26 inches high depicting historic Charlotte Amalie and its harbor. Orchids from Kemmler's own garden and scenes painted on site in Dominica are also among his subjects.
The reception is from 2 to 6 p.m. Free and open to the public, it's an opportunity to meet the artist and discuss his art. This will be Kemmler's first time exhibiting at Mango Tango, and "I've never gotten so many calls from people who've heard in advance about a show," gallery owner Jane Coombes said. It will hang just for two weeks — until March 11. Opening March 12 will be a showing of new works by Donald Laurent Dahlke.
SOON TO BE SEEN I: There'll be a reception in the Fort Christian Museum courtyard on Thursday evening to open an exhibition of oil paintings by students of Tom St. Vincent di Coio. "Students" in this case should not be equated with "amateurs," as his class includes some of the best-known artists in the territory, notably Shansi Miller, Les Anderson and Eunice Summer. "Some of these accomplished artists have been attending his classes for nearly 20 years and continue to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow artists, as well as the excellent instruction," museum staff member — and St. Vincent student — Susan Edwards says.
Edwards herself is among those who will be exhibiting, along with Miller, Anderson, Summer, Margit Kanstrup, Jan Dunn, Cathy Carlson, Lyn Sprauve, Sandra Kelly, Randy Wombold, Ann Nielsen and Shirley Kernan. Their works will hang in the Temporary Gallery Space in the fort. The reception, from 5 to 7 p.m., is an "Arts After Dark" event presented by the St. Thomas-St. John Arts Council. It's free and open to the public; there'll be complimentary finger food and a cash bar.
SOON TO BE SEEN II: An exhibit of oil and acrylic paintings by St. John artist Lee Eng Khauv is coming up at the Westin Resort Banquet Hall, opening with a reception on March 11 and continuing with viewing all day on March 12.
After majoring in political science at college in Colorado, the artist says, "I decided to leave it all behind to enjoy the coconuts and sandy beaches of St. John. Here I found peace and tranquility and discovered my love for art once again." Her art studies have included spending time in Mallorca at the studio of "my greatest influence and source of inspiration," acclaimed European painter Jesus Camargo, "to watch him throw colors on canvas with no fear."
STARS FOR THE REACHING: For STARfest VI, the Reichhold Center is inviting the public to help pick the talent in advance. There will be some new performers for this year's revue, set for Mother's Day weekend, May 13-15, but some favorites from previous shows will be invited back, too. And who will they be? Well, that's up to you.
Ballots are available, or soon will be, at Krystal & Gifts Galore and Marianne in Tutu Park Mall, both Modern Music stores, the UVI bookstore, Blockbuster Video and the Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean High Schools on St. Thomas; and at the St. John Drug Center on St. John. Or, it says on the release, you can call the Reichhold box office at 693-1559 and cast your vote by phone.
COLOURFUL NEWS: Anyone who has been a regular exhibitor or visitor at the annual Caribbean Colour fine art shows has probably been wondering that the plan is for this year. Marilyn and subsequent hurricanes have moved the exhibition around from its old familiar February and March dates, but never fear. The 12th annual Colour show is in the works and the call for entries will soon be going out. The exhibition will open on April 14 in a new public-access space in Port of Sale Mall and hang for at least four days — perhaps a few more, if docents can be lined up to sit the show. What makes Caribbean Colour, presented by the St. Thomas-St. John Arts Council, unique is that anyone professing to be an artist can enter one self-selected work in each of several mediums. The show is unjuried but judged, with cash prizes awarded in pre- announced categories.
A LOCAL HISTORICAL MUSICAL: A musical about slavery? No, more accurately a musical about a society of enslaved and free, and the dynamics of their relationships. Even so, it seems an unusual theme for singing. But then consider "Queen Mary" as a theme for dance, choreographed by Caribbean Dance Company's Monty Thompson and acclaimed around the world.
Sociologist and history researcher Eddie Donoghue has long kept one foot in the entertainment environment — writing scripts for children's television programs, acting in community plays, hosting his own radio show — meanwhile holding a succession of political jobs, most recently as head of public relations for the Education Department. Now, concentrating fully on his creative muse, he's about to see a musical of his own making p
roduced and presented on the stage of the Reichhold Center, a musical about a world he knows well from his research and writing.
Called Jankobum,, it's a fictionalized historical account of life and love in plantation times on St. Croix. Presented by St. John's Carabana Ensemble Theater Company and directed by Carabana's Clarence Cuthbertson, it will be performed on March 23-25. Incorporating figures from the 1759 slave uprising on the island and exploring the dynamics of an interracial marriage, the play "touches on mythology and is a challenge to bring to life," Donoghue says.
Tickets are $25 and they're now on sale or soon will be. Outlets are both Modern Music stores, Krystal & Gifts Galore, Parrot Fish Music, The Drafting Shaft in Sub Base and the UVI bookstore on St. Thomas; and Connections on St. John.
MUSIC, BY GEORGE: The next shared Arts Alive and St. John School of the Arts concert wraps up the non-classical season (already!) with a centennial tribute to George Gershwin in supper-club style. In the spotlight for "The Memory of All That" will be New York show and cabaret chanteuse Mary Cleere Haran, with her longtime partner in art, composer/pianist Richard Rodney Bennett, at the ivories and joining in for some vocal duets. Adding back-up will be Linc Milliman on bass. The show they're bringing to the islands played to rave reviews New York's famed Algonquin Hotel a season ago, after which they went on to mount "Crazy Rhythm: Manhattan in the '20s" at the same venue, again to critical acclaim.
Haran, an accomplished musical history researcher-writer, blends her song stylings with "witty quotations, show business lore and humorous self-explanatory asides," New York Times critic Stephen Holden writes. Bennett, knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his service to music, has composed music for more than 50 films as well as classical works. He worked with Paul McCartney on the former Beatle's orchestral work "Standing Stone," which debuted at Carnegie Hall two years ago. He also accompanied oboist Gerard Reuter at a Classics in the Garden concert in 1995.
TWO RHYME TIMES: Poets who enjoy sharing their works, people who like to read others' poems and folks who like to listen to poetry are in for a double treat in the coming month. The Humanities Division of the University of the Virgin Islands will have its monthly "Poetry & Conversation" evening starting at 6 p.m. on March 10 at L'Hotel Boynes. And the St. Thomas-St. John Arts Council will have a poetry reading from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 22 as an "Arts After Dark" event in the coffeeshop of the Frenchtown Deli.
Those wishing to sign up to read at "Poetry & Conversation" are asked to contact Mary Alexander at 693-1340. Those wishing to do so for the "Arts After Dark" session should call 776- 4812. And there's no reason the same people can't do both.
THE WEEKEND IN PRE-VIEW
Saturday: United Way of St. Thomas-St. John lets it all hang out from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Emancipation Garden at the agency's 5th annual bazaar and flea market fund raiser. Along with pre-owned books, clothing and accessories, household items, toys, CDs, tapes and videos, there will be plants and seedling trees on sale. The Youth in Action Steel Orchestra will provide music, and there'll be games for kids, a raffle and food and drinks available.
And the arts and crafts tenants of Tillett Gardens are hosting their first "Garden Party" Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's a kind of mini-Arts Alive fair that will be a monthly event, according to organizer Lynn Piccassi-Berry, whose Ridvan Studio is in the arts complex. Exhibitors will be showing paintings, pottery, leathercraft, beadwork, jewelry, essences and oils, candles, plants, original computer-generated art and more.
Saturday, Sunday: The Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John's first two winter whale-watch outings take place aboard the catamaran Jolly Mon. Saturday's trip is sold out, but some tickets are still available for Sunday. They're $55 for non-members of EAST and are available at Nisky Mail Boxes and East End Secretarial Services on St. Thomas and at Connections on St. John.
Saturday night: In celebration of Black History Month, the Reichhold Center for the Arts presents "Mahalia," a new musical about the life and music of "queen of gospel" Mahalia Jackson, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, $15 and $10.
Sunday: The local Red Cross chapter's 2nd annual Pet Health Fair and Dog Show takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crown Bay landfill. There'll be information about caring for pets in times of crisis, a dog parade with prizes for a variety of qualities (there's a $5 entry fee to compete), games for kids, food and drinks for humans and drinking water for the dogs.
Sunday night: Spike Lee's 1990 drama Mo' Better Blues is this weekend's "Cinema Sundays" offering at the Reichhold Center. It's about a self-centered jazz trumpeter who keeps everyone in his life at arm's length, including two lady friends. Music by the Branford Marsalis Quartet is featured. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults. It's R rated, so get a sitter for the kids.
CLUB DATE COMING UP: Cinema fans, especially those who turned out for the Reichhold Center's recent first International Film and Video Festival, should consider the Sunday flic at the Reichhold on March 5 priority viewing, for a couple of reasons. It's The Buena Vista Social Club, and, for starters, it happens to have been the most talked-about documentary in America last year. Inspired by the Grammy-winning album of the same name, the film is set in Havana, Cuba, and focuses on the lives and music of a group of once-famous musicians who had faded into obscurity but have now found new generations of admirers, at home and in sell-out concerts in Amsterdam and New York's Carnegie Hall.
But there's a closer-to-home reason many will want to see the picture: It's one of the films nominated for an Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary — and thus direct competition for Speaking in Strings, the profile of brilliant but controversial classical violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg shown at the fest that was produced by St. Thomian Lilibet Foster. Which of the two is more deserving of an Oscar (without taking into consideration the other nominees)? Well, see what you think.
TO BE SEEN: Scene & Herd appears weekly in the Source, previewing arts and entertainment events open to the public on St. Thomas and St. John. To have information considered for inclusion, submit it in writing by the Monday before desired posting date. Fax to 776-4812 or e-mail to jetsinger@viaccess.net.

The Greaseman cometh, the Greaseman goeth: Doug Tracht, a shock-jock DJ known as Greaseman and fired from his last job for making racist remarks, will not be offered a job on St. Croix, according to the owner of WMNG-FM, the Mongoose.
In the wake of a whirlwind of controversy surrounding Tracht’s possible hiring, Jonathan K. Cohen, owner of the station, rescinded the offer, according to a statement Friday.
Tracht was fired from a $1 million-a-year job at WARW, a classic-rock station in the Washington, D.C. area, almost a year ago after playing a song by the black singer Lauryn Hill. Tracht said, "No wonder people drag them behind trucks," referring to the Texas dragging death of James Byrd Jr.
The incident wasn’t Tracht’s first controversy regarding racist remarks. On the air in 1986 at another Washington station, he reportedly said, "Kill four more and we can take a whole week off," in regard to Martin Luther King Jr. and the holiday in his honor.
News of Cohen’s decision to give Tracht a tryout in the predominantly black U.S. Virgin Islands drew an outraged response. Local politicians threatened boycotts of the station and its advertisers if Tracht was hired.
"I would like to note that I believe Mr. Tracht made terrible mistakes in the past," Cohen said. "But I also believe he made a sincere effort to redeem himself in the eyes of those he deeply wounded. It was that belief that prompted me to suppose that we as a community could give him a new chance in a place where his sincerity would be tested every single day."
Cohen said that as a result of his decision to hire Tracht he was intimidated and threatened with physical harm. He said that because he is an "adopted son of the Virgin Islands" concerned about the community, and not as a result of threats, he decided against hiring the controversial DJ.
"I have decided to rescind my offer to Mr. Tracht, and I wish him well on his difficult journey," Cohen said. "To those of you who refused to consider that a man’s character can be redeemed, and to those of you who sat in arrogant judgement of his motives and mine, I reject your moral posturing and your incitement to bad behavior.
"I now consider this matter closed, and will speak no more on the subject."
The issue, however, may not be entirely finished. Raymond "Usie" Richards, a legislative planner in Sen. Adelbert Bryan’s office, said he is planning a protest in front of the Mongoose studios at noon Saturday.
"What needs to be understood clearly is the genesis of this issue," Richards said. "It was presumptuous that we wouldn’t know (Tracht’s) background."
Richards said that despite Cohen’s decision not to hire Tracht, "The residents of St. Croix will no longer tolerate racist activities…"
The Mongoose is part of a four-station chain that broadcasts throughout the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Rotarians and the interested public are busy speculating as to who will receive the coveted 2000 Person of the Year Award.
The Person of the Year is one who courageously struggles against all odds to create a positive effect on the course of island events. Rotary II believes
that presenting this award inspires and encourages potential leaders, young and not-so-young, to exhibit the strength of character and inclination to
work for the common good.
The award itself is a statuette of the enduring fictional character, Don Quixote. The choice of this symbolic figure denotes the recipient's
eagerness to strive against seemingly impossible obstacles with selfless dedication to the community.
Each year the award committee receives many nominations for a recipient.
"It's a continuing tribute to our community," said committee chair Elliott
'Mac' Davis, "that each year we have such a difficult task in choosing from
an extensive and worthy field of potential recipients."
The recipient of the Person of the Year award is a closely guarded secret.
Tension mounts as Rotarians review those present at the luncheon and try to
identify the most dedicated community member. "I don't even know who will
receive the award," said club president, Katrina White-Comissiong. "The
secrecy and suspense is half the enjoyment of the presentation."
Previous Rotary II Person of the Year recipients have been: 1981–Wilbur
'Bill' LaMotta, 1982–Albert A. Aubain, 1983–Dr. Roy L. Schneider,
1984–Costas Coulianos, 1985–Calvin Wheatley, 1986–Dr. Alfred O. Heath,
1987–Alexander A. Farrelly, 1988–Irvin D. 'Brownie' Brown, 1989–Ron L.
DeLugo, 1990–Dilsa Rohan Capedeville, 1991–Athniel C. 'Addie' Ottley,
1992–Verne A. Hodge, 1993–Leona E. Bryant, 1994–Edward E. Thomas,
1995–Juel T.R. Molloy, 1996–Vinod 'Vinnie' Mohanani, 1997–Lorraine Berry,
1998–Nick Pourzal, 1999– Randy Knight.
Rotary II – St. Thomas meets on Wednesdays at 12:30 PM at
Marriott's Frenchman's Reef–Windows on the Harbour Dining Room