To register their outrage over the governor’s firing of Michael Bornn as commissioner of Tourism on Thursday, the St. Croix tourism industry is planning to take to the streets on Tuesday.
Peter Locke, president of the St. Croix Accommodations Council, said members of his organization, the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association, the St. Croix Taxi Association, the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce and Christiansted Restaurant and Merchants Association will march on the Lieutenant Governor’s office in Christiansted to lodge their displeasure with Bornn’s ouster.
"It’s a fiasco," Locke said of Bornn’s removal. "Michael Bornn was absolutely the right person for the job."
Gov. Charles Turnbull withdrew Bornn’s nomination for Tourism commissioner over differences in "operating and management styles," according to the governor. While Turnbull said he holds Bornn in high regards personally, Bornn, an investment counselor by profession, "likes to go his own way even after repeated admonishments and warnings to do otherwise."
The biggest rift was over the administration’s ultimately successful effort to have the Senate approve a bill seeking a $300 million bond measure.
"…Bornn actively opposed the bond issue initiative of the administration even to the extent of openly lobbying members of the Legislature to vote against the measure," Turnbull said. "This is only one of the flagrant actions of … Bornn, contrary to my wishes and intent."
Immediately upon taking his position in late August, Bornn called for $20 million to be pumped into the territory’s tourism marketing efforts. A large portion of that sum would have come from the Hotel Occupancy Tax, which totals approximately $11 million a year. However, those funds, which are supposed to be deposited in the Tourism Revolving Fund, have been diverted to meet government obligations.
But it was exactly Bornn’s frank and outspoken take on the state of the government and his vision for the territory’s tourism industry that endeared him to those in the private sector. Locke said there is a direct correlation to the dismal 12-month, 45 percent occupancy rate on St. Croix and the government’s "raiding of the Tourism Revolving Fund."
"The governor knew full well Bornn’s stand on the issues," Locke said. "All of a sudden it’s not palatable. They (the administration) don’t have the stomach for the truth."
Dulcy Kushmore, an Accommodations Council board member, said Tuesday’s march has two purposes: to have Bornn reinstated and the Occupancy Tax used for its mandated purpose.
"We want all that tourism money put in a separate account, as the law intends," she said.
Kushmore said that a similar march may be planned for St. Thomas on Tuesday as well.
On Friday, Noel Loftus, president of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, said he was "angered and frustrated" by the governor’s decision.
"It shows this administration can’t govern," Loftus said. "It has been communicated to us by this administration that they aren’t open to new ideas."
He said that the name of Mel Plaskett has surfaced to take Bornn’s place. But prior to Bornn’s appointment, the Chamber had already deemed Plaskett’s nomination as "not acceptable."
Locke urged anyone interested in participating in Tuesday’s march to meet at Fort Christiansvaern at 10 a.m. The march will begin at 10:30.

The Turnbull administration finally has the authority it needs to close on the recently passed $300 million bond authority with the signing of Delegate to Congress Donna Christian Christensen’s bill by President Clinton.
The bill, which was signed Thursday evening, is intended to save on the costs associated with the planned borrowing, as well as allow the government to meet its current obligations and provide sufficient cash reserves to operate.
Had the V.I. Legislature not given Gov. Charles Turnbull authority to seek the bonding, the administration said it would have been $39 million short of being able to meet payroll by the middle of November. Without the funding the bonds will provide, Turnbull threatened as many as 2,500 government layoffs.
Turnbull originally asked the Legislature for the authority to borrow $130 million. But on Oct. 12, senators voted 12-3 to amend the governor’s bill to authorize the Public Finance Authority to issue up to $300 million in bonds to fund a working capital loan.
Some $136 million will go toward tax refunds, $46 million to pay vendors, $30 million for bonding services and escrow, $30 million to pay Banco Popular and $15 million to pay the government retirement fund.
Christensen said that now that the bill has been signed it will provide an infusion of cash into the territory and avoid layoffs of government employees.
"It is incumbent upon us to direct our attention to the difficult task of putting in place measures that will reduce our spending and allow us to reduce our growing deficit", Christensen said.
Christensen submitted the bill authorizing the territory to use bond proceeds for operating expenses to Congress at the behest of Turnbull. It was the delegate's first bill to be signed into law on its own.

Participants in the People’s March commanded an audience with the Senate Finance Committee in Frederiksted on Sept. 9, but now members say most legislators are trying to avoid them.
In a press conference Friday at the Penthouse Rooftop, People’s March committee members said they are disappointed with the way the majority of senators have responded to the organization’s requests for participation in scheduled "town meetings."
In attendance Friday were Paul "The General" Payne, Raymond "Usie" Richards, Sharon Petersen and Valmy Thomas. Sen. Adelbert Bryan was in attendance but didn’t participate.
Several senators said during the Sept. 9 meeting that they would be willing to meet and work with the organization. At that meeting hundreds of marchers walked through Frederiksted to the Legislature.
The People’s March was organized to protest the Beal-V.I. government land exchange at Great Pond Bay, Gov. Charles Turnbull’s proposal to cut government departments by 15 percent and a lack of accountability in government overall. Organizers also want full financial disclosure from the West Indian Company Ltd. and the Public Finance Authority.
At the September gathering of the Finance Committee the organization requested that a meeting with elected officials be held within 30 days, said People’s March spokesman Richards. A letter informing senators of the town meeting was also sent out.
But more than a month later the town meeting hasn’t happened. Although a meeting scheduled for Oct. 22 was postponed because of Hurricane Jose, only two or three senators had responded that they would be attending.
"The People’s March has been very patient," Richards said. "We’ve been waiting 30 days since Sept. 9. To date none of them (senators) have issued a written response."
A rescheduled town meeting for Nov. 1 has also been postponed because of a meeting scheduled for the same day involving Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, Director of Insular Affairs for the V.I. Danny Aranza, Delegate Donna Christian Christensen, Turnbull and V.I. senators. The federal officials will be on St. Croix for a Coral Reef Task Force Conference on Nov. 2 and 3.
Richards said the People’s March Committee felt its town meeting has been snubbed again in a "willful act" by local politicians.
"It is clear to us that some … concerted action was taken to divert attention" of the senators, Richards said. "It is our opinion and our belief that these individuals are unwilling to be full participants in the democratic process."
Richards said that since the Nov. 1 town meeting won’t be happening, People’s March members will go to the Henry E. Rohlsen airport instead and greet participants of the Coral Reef Conference as they arrive, including Babbitt. Richards said the organization has concerns with the memorandum of understanding signed by Babbitt and Turnbull earlier in October.
Richards said it is the People’s March intention to let Babbitt know they are not pleased with the memorandum. The memorandum includes exchanging interests in land, including submerged lands and coral reefs, under federal and local government jurisdiction.
But because the governor has supported the Beal Aerospace land exchange and the memorandum calls for preserving natural and cultural resources, Richards called Turnbull’s actions "hypocritical."
"We believe it’s hypocritical of the governor … to enter into the MOU" and then transfer the trust at Estate Great Pond, Richards said. "We’d like to sound the alarm: The governor should not be giving away properties that belong to the Virgin Islands."

If you had dialed Transylvania 6-5000 Thursday night, you would have come up with "Dracula," whirling around the Pistarkle Theater production at Coral World. This is one blood drive not sponsored by the Red Cross.
The company's pre-opening night performance played to a full house. Pistarkle's first night traditionally is "pay what you can" as far as admission. Friday is the official opening night with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres; and on Sunday, which happens to be Halloween, playgoers are invited to come in costume to compete for prizes.
This version of the classic Bram Stoker story (which is not for young children, by the way) has been adapted for the stage by Crane Johnson. It is set in Victorian England. The Coral World venue is very small, which presents a very big challenge to the technical staff, but director Trudy Tucker and her able aides have done an incredible job of re-creating a period drawing room with flawless sound and lighting effects.
So, on to the play. It's difficult to say which of the cast is most entertaining, but we'll start off with newcomer Gregory Fowler. He's new to St. Thomas, too, and his experience has been limited to coffee shops and fast food joints, according to his playbill bio. That was apparently adequate background to portray the insect- and bird-eating Renfield, Dr. Seward's protégé and in-house experiment. He humps about the stage in various stages of mental decline extolling the virtues of "eating life to maintain life." A novel attitude.
Amy Huentelman plays Lucy, Dr. Seward's fiancée, who is seduced and/or killed by Count Dracula, depending on how you look at it. The sequence of events can be confusing as she becomes one of the "undead," and her part is limited owing to her character's tenuous hold on mortality.
Dee Warren is properly prim as Lucy's aunt, a little fey and very amusing. Her decorum deconstructs, however, when she falls victim the bloodthirsty Count.
It wouldn't do to say Christina Harper steals the show, but her histrionics as the metaphysical doctor, Professor Van Helsing, are compelling. Harper is a Pistarkle veteran, and it shows.
Michael Burton, press secretary to Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II, distinguishes himself after six years away from the stage as the hapless Dr. Seward, who is a bit confused throughout the drama. However, with the steady, always boisterous guidance of Professor Van Helsing, he makes it though like a champ, right through the dramatic final scene.
And then there's Abigail, Seward's maid, who is very British and more than a little dotty, albeit helpful as can be. Dena Benson Elliott is simply wonderful in the role.
Now about the Count, played by Gene ("Gino") Skoff (whofor some reason is omitted from the cast bios in the playbill. Although his is the lead role, he doesn't appear that much on stage – he is more an omnipotent off-stage presence, and perhaps that's a good thing, as in his brief appearances he whirls about as frantically as a dervish in his magnificent black and red satin cape (perhaps awaiting an off-stage bull?). At one point I feared he'would suffer whiplash.
The production continues Pistarckle's series of diverse theatrical delights. Coral World's outdoor amphitheater is the perfect setting for the wolf howling in the background under the waning moon and stars. But there is nothing else waning about this production, which also runs next Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5 and 6. Tickets are $22. Call 775-7877 for reservations.

Judge Maria Cabret of St. Croix is Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's choice to be presiding judge of the Territorial Court.
If she is confirmed by the Senate, Cabret will replace Judge Verne A. Hodge in the top judicial post when Hodge retires next month.
St. Thomas attorney Rhys Hodge will fill Hodge's seat on the St. Thomas bench. Both appointments were announced Friday afternoon at a Government House press conference.
Turnbull also announced his reappointment of Territorial Court Judge Ive A. Swan in St. Thomas.
Cabret has been in charge of the St. Croix branch of the Territorial Court, where she won general praise for her handling of those administrative responsibilities.
If the Senate confirms her reappointment — which seems a forgone conclusion — Cabret will become only the second presiding judge of the Territorial Court. Verne Hodge has filled that post since the court came into existence on Jan. 1, 1977.
By law, the governor has the authority to name the court's presiding judge.

Judge Maria Cabret of St. Croix is Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's choice to be presiding judge of the Territorial Court.
Cabret will replace Judge Verne A. Hodge in the top administrative post when Hodge retires next month. St. Thomas attorney Rhys Hodge will fill Hodge's seat on the St. Thomas bench.
Both appointments were announced Friday afternoon at a Government House press conference.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull also announced his reappointment of Territorial Court Judge Ive A. Swan in St. Thomas.
Cabret has been in charge of the St. Croix branch of the Territorial Court and has won general praise for her handling of those administrative responsibilities.
Her appointment will mark the first time the presiding judgeship will go to a St. Croix judge and to a woman. Verne Hodge has been presiding judge since the Territorial Court was established in the mid-'70s.

We have to wonder at Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's thinking. We also have to wonder whom he's taking advice from.
The firing of acting Tourism Commissioner Michael Bornn was a very untimely and unfortunate move.
While we fully understand that Bornn was something of a loose cannon, and while we appreciate the need of the boss to have some control over his employees, we think that a more creative approach to Bornn's outspokenness might have been more productive.
This territory is in dire straits. Tourism is our only product. We have had three commissioners in the last 12 months and the one who seemed to have the overwhelming confidence of the public is now gone – right at the start of the 1999-2000 winter tourism season.
We hear the frustration and even rage of the community over this action everywhere we turn.
We feel the anxiety over what this means in terms of a sorely needed successful tourist season.
How can we come back from this blow to our image as a destination?
Who is going to replace this dynamic – albeit roguish – leader?
We are aware of the governor's penchant for vacillation. We could hope that he would change his mind on the Bornn issue. But even if he did, we don't think Bornn would come back. And we can't blame him.
When a private business owner fires an employee who refuses to abide by the employer's policy initiatives, that affects the employee, his family and the business owner.
But this is not a private business. This is the public sector and we've heard many, many politicos say you can't run expect the government to run like a business. In this case we must agree.
When you fire someone like Michael Bornn, someone who brought hope and encouragement to a depressed community, it affects the entire territory.
The governor said it himself: Bornn had the support of people who never agree on anything.
It is not Bornn who lost the confidence of the people in this scenario. It is the governor. Unfortunately, it is the people who will pay the price for the governor's ill-conceived move.

Judge Maria Cabret of St. Croix is Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's choice to be presiding judge of the Territorial Court.
If she is confirmed by the Senate, Cabret will replace Judge Verne A. Hodge in the top judicial post when Hodge retires next month.
St. Thomas attorney Rhys Hodge will fill Hodge's seat on the St. Thomas bench. Both appointments were announced Friday afternoon at a Government House press conference.
Turnbull also announced his reappointment of Territorial Court Judge Ive A. Swan in St. Thomas.
Cabret has been in charge of the St. Croix branch of the Territorial Court, where she won general praise for her handling of those administrative responsibilities.
If the Senate confirms her reappointment — which seems a forgone conclusion — Cabret will become only the second presiding judge of the Territorial Court. Verne Hodge has filled that post since the court came into existence on Jan. 1, 1977.
By law, the governor has the authority to name the court's presiding judge.

People's March Committee member Usie Richards announces that a press conference will be held Friday to discuss a variety of issues facing the territory.
The conference will take place Friday at 2 p.m. at the Penthouse Rooftop in Castle Coakley.

Chefs at some of St. Croix’s best restaurants will be featured on the Discovery Channel’s Great Chef’s program this November and December.
On Nov. 10 at 4:30 est, Chef Michael Madsen of St. Croix’s Great House at Villa Madeleine will create his shrimp saute in star fruit salsa. Madsen will appear again on Dec. 2 preparing rack of lamb crusted with hazelnuts and Dijon mustard on framboise demiglace.
On Monday, Nov. 22 at 4:30 p.m., Dave Kendrick of Kendrick’s will tempt viewers with his sponge cake with sauteed bananas and spiced rum butter.
The next day at the same time and channel, Bent Rasmussen of Top Hat Restaurant will make his almond sticks.
Chefs from The Old Stone Farm House on St. Thomas and the Caneel Bay Resort on St. John will also be featured.