National Park Service officials say they're ready to talk to community groups on St. John about planning the future of Cruz Bay.
However, V.I. National Park Supt. Russell Berry Jr. said, consultants from the NPS Planning and Design Office will be available only if St. John residents can agree that they want their help.
In the early 1980s, the park service developed a "Gateway" community program to assist towns and villages located near large-tract national parks across the United States. As the numbers of visitors increased at those parks, Berry explained, NPS officials recognized that some of those small communities were being overwhelmed.
The Gateway program was designed to provide planning services to localities lacking the resources to hire a professional planner on their own, he said.
Berry cited Sitka, Alaska, about a hundred miles south of Juneau at the edge of the Sitka National Historic Park, as an example of a Gateway town. He called Provincetown, Mass., just outside the Cape Cod National Seashore, a "perfect example of a Gateway community."
In those towns, officials with the help of planners found ways to make their communities more user friendly to visitors by taking a variety of steps — such things as installing signs, rearranging traffic patterns, even deciding to impose uniformity of building construction, giving some of the towns a distinct architectural character.
How, exactly, did the National Park Service experts help the town leaders? "They didn't," Berry replied.
"The park service didn't do anything," he explained. "That is the community effort. We're not going to spend the money on planning for planning's sake. It's a bootstrap operation."
Communities that have successfully utilized available NPS planning services have gone on to research and procure their own grant money and do all the work to put the agreed-upon improvements into effect, he said.
St. John would seem to be a natural candidate for the program. With a population of about 5,400 and park visitation up to 1.2 million persons annually, St. John has seen increased demands on its resources as it plays host to one of the National Park Service's most popular destinations.
In fact, word about the Gateway program reached the Virgin Islands in 1998, Berry said, but the idea generated little enthusiasm then. "There has to be a broad coalition of community organizations that would be willing to do this," he said, "and so far, that has not materialized."
National Park Service consultant Jim Owens is ready and willing to find out if the timing is better now. Next week, he'll conduct a meeting for representatives of local groups to discuss the Gateway program. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Legislature Building in Cruz Bay.
According to Berry, if a diverse cross-section of St. John residents shows up and shows interest, that could be the start. On the other hand, without broad-based support from as many sectors of the Cruz Bay community as possible taking part, he said, the Gateway concept cannot succeed.

Sen. Roosevelt David said Friday that St. John water haulers have a number of complaints about the alternate potable water supply system the Water And Power Authority has put into place for the next six weeks, and he's on their side.
WAPA announced Wednesday that it had contracted with Seven Seas Water Corp. to use its recently installed reverse-osmosis plant to produce potable water for St. John for six weeks while the utility has the island's desalination unit out of service to conduct maintenance work. WAPA said the water would be supplied through its distribution system and the St. John standpipes.
According to a press release from David's office, water haulers on St. John have been calling him "to express their deep frustration and disappointment" with the service at the standpipes. The truck drivers are complaining that the plant "does not open or correct plant malfunctions until hours after the water haulers have lined up for their first loads," the release stated. David said the late starting times, the malfunctions and "WAPA's advance payment policy for water that is not available" must "be changed at once."
David also lashed out at WAPA for what he said was its failure to comply with a law requiring the utility to reimburse St. John water haulers for barging costs when they must travel to St. Thomas to fill their tanks because St. John's water needs are not being met on island.
According to the senator, who sponsored the bill mandating that reimbursement in 1998, WAPA "has yet to comply with this law and owes approximately $40,000 to St. John water haulers and barge companies." The release said attorney David Bornn has agreed to represent the haulers and barge firms in a class-action suit "to recover the money that is due."

Dear Source,
Yes, the way you described the insurance problem that's great. I fully
agree, everyone SHOULD have insurance.
But…here's the reality check.
Enforcement. How will they enforce it?
When someone signs up for insurance and they pay the first of a quarterly plan what happens when they let that plan lapse? Does the insurance company alert the police?
No, they don't. The recently uninsured driver drives around anyway.
That uninsured driver might hit your car and total it, then what do you get? Nothing, just like now. Compulsory insurance can be the answer but the IMPLEMENTATION is the problem here. And I'm telling you….people who don't have money won't pay for it. This island is financially strapped and so are the residents.
I think that if the government really wanted us all to be insured it would start a pay at the pump tax, which would go towards insuring all drivers (maybe privatize the insurance agency for this or go with an outside provider). Yes, I know noone has faith in the government right now, however I would have more faith in the Govt. than all the people of the V.I. paying their bills on time with this bad economy.
Cindy Larason

President Clinton pledged Friday that the federal government will pick up 90 percent of the cost of disaster assistance for damage caused by Hurricane Georges in 1998.
The decision increases the proportion of costs that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will pick up from the standard 75 percent set out by law. The higher federal share means $1.5 million less that the V.I. government will have to provide in matching money.
Gov. Charles Turnbull said the increased federal share will apply to the Public Assistance Program (for repairing storm-damaged public infrastructure), the Individual and Family Grant Program (for direct assistance to island residents) and to the Hazard Mitigation Program (to rebuild in ways that will minimize future damage).
"The decision will help enormously as we continue to recover from yet another devastating storm," Turnbull said. "It reflects the success of my administration’s efforts to improve our relations with Washington, as well as recognition by the federal government of our efforts to get our fiscal house in order."
The administration also requested increased federal cost sharing for recovery efforts stemming from Hurricane Lenny last November. Federal authorities are reviewing the request, Turnbull said.
Meantime, the administration is asking Washington to restructure or forgive outright the debt of about $200 million owed FEMA from Hurricanes Hugo in 1989 and Marilyn in 1995. The federal government granted a one-year forbearance on all FEMA loan payments, which saved the V.I. government nearly $10 million in debt service costs in the last year.

Retired Presiding Judge Verne Hodge is seeking a $400,000 payment from the government for annual and sick leave he accumulated in his 23-year tenure at Territorial Court.
The amount is almost four times his annual salary at the time he retired Oct. 31, 1999. Finance Commissioner Bernice Turnbull has asked Attorney General Iver Stridiron for guidance about paying the large sum.
"There’s nothing illegal about it," Hodge said Friday. Stridiron already sided once with Hodge, but Turnbull asked him to take a second look.
For most government employees, annual leave is effectively capped at two years’ worth — or 960 hours — at the time of retirement.
However, a law passed in the 1970s (and later repealed) exempted judges who were seated at that time from any limit. Hodge is the last of the judges covered by the law.
Former judges Eileen Petersen, Henry Feuerzeig, Henry Smock, the late Antoine Joseph and the late Irwin Silverlight were all entitled to limitless accumulated leave payments, attorney Glenda Lake, Territorial Court administrator, said.
The law was tested in U.S. District Court when Joseph retired, and was upheld, Hodge noted.
But now, he said, "the principle goes out the window because of the amount."
Hodge said the amount requested does not include any overtime. "I lost over $2 million in overtime," he said, "because we don’t get paid overtime."
He has offered to take the payment in installments. Further, he said, "half of it [the $400,000] is taxes" he’ll pay back to the government.
The issue surfaced in November, but all the parties were publicly mum until this week. Stridiron wrote to the Finance commissioner on Dec. 14, advising her that "the payroll record of the court clerk for Judge Hodge is supported by legal authority, and you may proceed to make the appropriate disbursements."
Stridiron told the Source Friday that he is going by the law in effect for Hodge and other judges seated at the time of its passage. Although it was later repealed, he said, they were entitled to the unlimited accrual "and so we’re obligated to do what was required back then."
He said Bernice Turnbull wants him to look into how far back sick leave may be accrued. Turnbull, after not returning telephone calls for more than a week, said Friday that "the whole matter is under review."
Lake said the money would be paid out of the general fund, charged to the Territorial Court budget, which this fiscal year is $17.4 million.
Territorial court judges earn $100,000 a year. The presiding judge earns $110,000. After 20 years of service, a judge is entitled to retire at full pay.

Retired Presiding Judge Verne Hodge is seeking a $400,000 payment from the government for annual and sick leave he accumulated in his 23-year tenure at Territorial Court. The amount is almost four times his annual salary at the time he retired Oct. 31, 1999.
Finance Commissioner Bernice Turnbull has asked Attorney General Iver Stridiron for guidance about paying the unusually large sum.
"There’s nothing illegal about it," Hodge said Friday. Stridiron has already sided once with Hodge, but Turnbull has asked him to take a second look.
For most government employees, annual leave is effectively capped at two years’ worth – or 960 hours – at the time of retirement.
However, a law passed in the 1970s (and later repealed) exempts the judges who were seated at that time from any limit on accumulated leave.
Hodge is the last of the judges covered by the law. And his payment apparently would be the largest.
Former judges Eileen Petersen, Henry Feuerzeig, Henry Smock, the late Antoine Joseph and the late Irwin Silverlight were all entitled to leave payments accumulated without time restrictions, said attorney Glenda Lake, Territorial Court administrator.
The law was even tested in District Court when Joseph retired, Hodge noted. And it was upheld.
But now, he said, "the principle goes out the window because of the amount."
Hodge does not believe the payout is excessive. He said it does not include any overtime. In fact, "I lost over $2 million in overtime because we don’t get paid overtime."
Besides, he said, "half of (the $400,000) is taxes" he’ll pay.
The controversy has been brewing since November but all the parties were publicly mum until this week.
Stridiron wrote the Finance commissioner Dec. 14, advising her that "the payroll record of the Court Clerk for Judge Hodge is supported by legal authority and you may proceed to make the appropriate disbursements."
In an interview Friday, Stridiron said he is going by the law that was in effect for Hodge and other judges seated at the time of its passage.
"It was since repealed," Stridiron said. "But they were entitled to it (the unlimited accrual) and so we’re obligated to do what was required back then.
"And Judge Hodge has served long and humbly," Stridiron said, adding he is "not in favor of trying to dodge the law."
Nevertheless, he said Turnbull has asked him a second question. She wants him to look into how far back sick leave may be accrued.
Turnbull has had little to say on the issue. After dodging telephone calls for more than a week, she said Friday that "the whole matter is under review" and once the review is over, information will be available.
Hodge said he has offered to take the payment in installments.
The money would be paid out of the General Fund but, Lake said, it will be charged to the court’s budget. That budget this year is $17. 4 million.
Territorial Court judges earn $100,000 a year. The presiding judge earns $110,000. After 20 years of service, a judge retires at full pay.

President Bill Clinton pledged the federal government Friday to picking up an increased share of disaster assistance for damage caused by Hurricane Georges in 1998.
Clinton’s decision will increase Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance from 75 percent to 90 percent. The higher federal share means the V.I. government is off the hook for ponying up more than $1.5 million in local matching dollars
Gov. Charles Turnbull said the increased federal share will be applied to the Public Assistance Program for repairing storm-damaged infrastructure and to the Individual and Family Grant Program. Funding will also go toward the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
"The decision will help enormously as we continue to recover from yet another devastating storm," Turnbull said. "It reflects the success of my administration’s efforts to improve our relations with Washington, as well as recognition by the federal government of our efforts to get our fiscal house in order."
Turnbull noted that his administration has also requested an increase in federal cost-sharing following November’s Hurricane Lenny. That request is being reviewed, he said.
In addition to the increased federal cost-sharing percentages, the administration is asking Washington to restructure, or forgive outright, the approximately $200 million owed to FEMA following Hurricanes Hugo in 1989 and Marilyn in 1995.
The federal government already agreed to a one-year forbearance on all FEMA loan payments, which saved the V.I. government nearly $10 million in debt-service payments over the past 12 months.

President Bill Clinton Friday pledged the federal government to picking up an increased share of disaster assistance for damage caused by Hurricane Georges in 1998.
Clinton’s decision will increase Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance from 75 percent to 90 percent. The higher federal share means that the V.I. government is off the hook for more than $1.5 million in matching funds.
Gov. Charles Turnbull said the increased federal share would be applied to the Public Assistance Program for repairing storm-damaged infrastructure and the Individual and Family Grant Program. Funding will also go to the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
"The decision will help enormously as we continue to recover from yet another devastating storm," Turnbull said. "It reflects the success of my administration’s efforts to improve our relations with Washington, as well as recognition by the federal government of our efforts to get our fiscal house in order."
Turnbull noted that he has also requested an increase in federal cost-sharing following November’s Hurricane Lenny. That request is being reviewed, he said.
In addition to the increased federal cost-sharing percentages, the administration is asking Washington to either restructure or forgive outright the approximately $200 million owed to FEMA following Hurricanes Hugo in 1989 and Marilyn in 1995.
The federal government has already agreed to a one-year forbearance on FEMA loan payments, saving the V.I. government nearly $10 million over the past 12 months.

The Turnbull administration has a week to respond to claims that it is violating the territory’s competitive bidding laws in its negotiations to sell the V.I. Water and Power Authority. Otherwise St. Croix attorney Lee Rohn will take it to court.
Rohn, who is representing St. Croix community activist Gail Watson Chiang, wrote to the Turnbull administration, including Attorney General Iver Stridiron, on Jan. 5 warning that its negotiations with Southern Energy Inc. violate local competitive bidding laws. Rohn said the V.I. Code mandates that before a public asset is sold or a government contract is let, competitive bidding must take place.
So far Southern Energy is the only company the government has negotiated with in regard to selling WAPA. Reports are that the company would pay approximately $100 million for 80 percent of the utility.
"The law doesn’t allow them to have an exclusivity agreement," Rohn said, adding that as of Friday she hadn’t received a response to her letter from Gov. Charles Turnbull. "If I don’t hear from the governor by Jan. 28, I will file a suit."
Stridiron said that although he hasn’t received a request from Turnbull to look into Rohn’s allegations, he has assigned the Justice Department’s solicitor general to study the matter in case the governor does.
Stridiron added that his office will only respond to the allegations if the governor asks it to.
"At this juncture, I can’t tell you if what Lee Rohn is saying has any basis in the law or fact," Stridiron said.

The Turnbull administration has a week to respond to claims that it is violating the territory’s competitive bidding laws in its negotiations to sell the V.I. Water and Power Authority or St. Croix attorney Lee Rohn will take it to court.
Rohn, who is representing St. Croix community activist Gail Watson Chiang, wrote to the administration, including Attorney General Iver Stridiron, on Jan. 5, warning that its negotiations with Southern Energy Inc. violate competitive bidding laws. Rohn said the V.I. Code mandates that before a public asset is sold or a government contract let, a competitive bidding process must take place.
So far Southern Energy is the only company the government has been in negotiations with in regard to selling WAPA. Reports are that the company would pay approximately $100 million for 80 percent of the utility.
"The law doesn’t allow them to have an exclusivity agreement," Rohn said, adding that as of Friday the administration had not replied to her letter. "If I don’t hear from the governor by Jan. 28, I will file a suit."
Attorney General Stridiron said he had assigned the Department of Justice’s solicitor general to study the matter in case the governor asks him to look into Rohn’s allegations. Turnbull has not done so as yet, he said.
Stridiron made clear that his office will only respond to the allegations if the governor asks it to.
"At this juncture, I can’t tell you if what Lee Rohn is saying has any basis in the law or fact," Stridiron said.