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Free Bamboula Dance Class to Empower Youth at UVI

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Free Bamboula Dance Class to Empower Youth at UVI
Raven Phillips and Majestik Freedom, dressed in the traditional all-white attire, perform the Bamboula at a local event. (Photo courtesy Aisha Boyd)

Culture Bearer Majestik Freedom invites the community to free Bamboula dance classes Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the University of the Virgin Islands St. Croix campus. Freedom’s work centers on the preservation of Virgin Islands traditions through dance, music, and education.

The upcoming class aims to give people of all ages and dance levels an introduction to the fundamentals of Bamboula while fostering a deeper appreciation for Virgin Islands heritage. Organizers describe the session as both educational and interactive, encouraging the community to engage directly with the rhythms, movements, and history of the dance.

At just 23 years old, Freedom holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Fine Arts and Secondary Teacher Education and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. In addition to their academic achievements, Freedom was crowned the 2024 St. Thomas Ambassadorial Carnival Queen and currently holds the title of Miss Black Virgin Islands 2026.

Freedom is a former member of the University of the Virgin Islands Bamboula Dance Ensemble under the direction of Allegra Christopher. They are also a founding member of the Coziah Dancers, alongside Raven Phillips, a group dedicated to performing Bamboula throughout the territory. Through their work, Freedom has remained committed to cultural education, even receiving support from the Virgin Islands Academic and Cultural Endowment Awards Grant to bring Bamboula instruction into local schools.

A limited number of long white skirts, traditionally worn during Bamboula performances, will be available for participants. Community members are encouraged to take advantage of this free opportunity, which highlights the importance of preserving cultural traditions while empowering the next generation.

For additional information, interested participants can call 340-771-0095.

 

The Benny-Demus Carnival Kickball Tournament Returns This Carnival Season

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The Benny-Demus Carnival Kickball Tournament Returns This Carnival Season

What started as a playful rivalry over marbles has grown into one of the most anticipated Carnival events on the island of St. Thomas. The Benny-Demus Carnival Kickball Tournament, now a staple of the season, blends sport, community engagement, and philanthropy into a single, high-energy experience that continues to draw participants and spectators from across the territory.

Benny-Demus and Wally Kyat at the annual Benny-Demus Carnival Kickball Tournament at the Joseph Aubain Ballpark in Frenchtown. (Photo courtesy Benny-Demus)

This year, the tournament will be held at the Emile Griffith Ballpark on Wednesday, April 29, starting at 3 p.m. The game features a wide cross-section of the community, including teachers, nurses, entertainers, first responders, public officials, and business owners.

Benny-Demus, the visionary behind this initiative, believes that this event offers the community a unique opportunity to see new faces and connect. “Anytime you can create a safe, fun space for the community during Carnival, it will connect with the people. This event shows the community that we are human. We are competitive, caring, and always ready to have a good time,” Demus said.

The impact of the tournament extends beyond the field. Through the DEMUS Legacy Foundation, the tournament has supported several nonprofit organizations over the years. This year, organizers are directing proceeds from the concession stand to support Little League Baseball programs. “However we can help, we help,” Demus said. Corporate sponsorship remains a key component of the event, with four local companies sponsoring teams annually. The initiative not only increases brand visibility but also reinforces the role of businesses in community development.

The idea for the tournament traces back to 2017, when Benny-Demus and Wally Kyat turned a social media debate into a live marble competition at Griffith Park. Expecting a small turnout, they were met instead by a crowd. “I couldn’t believe that we had an audience there to see it go down, I was blown away,” Demus said.

 

The 2024 winning team comprised of teammates spanning various industries across the community. (Photo courtesy Benny-Demus)

That moment shifted everything. After inviting children in attendance to join the game and giving away their marbles, Demus began thinking about how to create something even more inclusive. ”Everyone won’t play marbles, so what sport can I get people to play that doesn’t require them to be the best athlete? Then it came to me — Kickball,” Demus said. By 2018, the tournament was born. Today, the event offers a different kind of Carnival experience, one centered on accessibility, connection, and community pride.

Looking ahead, Demus hopes to expand the tournament to St. Croix and deepen the foundation’s impact through youth programs, athletic sponsorships, and potential scholarship opportunities. “I see the tournament going over to St. Croix. I am working on that very soon,” Demus said.

As the tournament continues to grow, so does its message of connection, collaboration, and the strength of community.

“When the community wins, we all win,” Demus said.

Liberty Foundation Awarded $38,100 in Donations, Grants and Sponsorships Last Year

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Liberty Foundation Awarded $38,100 in Donations, Grants and Sponsorships Last Year

Liberty Foundation and Liberty VI helped drive positive changes in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2025 by awarding $38,100 in donations, grants and sponsorships to 14 nonprofit organizations in 2025 in the territory. Those numbers, along with testimonials from the beneficiaries, were presented in the foundation’s 2025 Impact Report which was released today.

“We have been committed to the communities we serve in the USVI since Liberty began offering telecommunications services on our islands in 2020. During those years, we have witnessed firsthand how local nonprofits persevere to provide essential services to underprivileged populations. Helping them do the work they do every day is part of our mission,” said Catherine Kling, general manager of Liberty VI. “We reaffirm Liberty’s continued support to the communities we operate in and to build upon and extend our relationships with our valued community partners.”

In addition to the financial contributions the company makes, Liberty VI encourages its employees to participate in Liberty Foundation’s volunteer program. In 2025, a total of 18 employees logged nearly 71 volunteer work hours in four nonprofit organizations in the USVI.

“Our mission at the Liberty Foundation goes beyond the monetary assistance we provide to nonprofit organizations delivering direct services,” said Yadira Valdivia, executive director of the Liberty Foundation. “Each year, we continue expanding our reach to walk alongside them and offer a wide range of support that enables them to deliver more and better life-transforming services under our four pillars: education, social well-being and health, art and environmental protection.”

Since it was formally established in 2017, Liberty Foundation continues to make a positive impact on the lives of children, youth, and adults by supporting nonprofit organizations that provide direct services and opportunities in critical areas such as education, social well-being and health, the arts, and environmental protection. For more information about Liberty Foundation’s initiatives and to make a donation, please visit the foundation’s webpage, https://www.libertyfoundationpr.org/usvi

Lourdes Maritza Ayala Santiago Dies at 66

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Lourdes Maritza Ayala Santiago Dies at 66

Lourdes Maritza Ayala Santiago was born on September 28, 1959, and passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026. 

Lourdes Maritza Ayala Santiago

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend whose kindness, strength, and warm spirit touched the lives of many. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

Lourdes leaves to cherish her loving memory her devoted husband, Carlos M. Santiago; her father, Virgilio “Gallo” Ayala; her son, Wendell Schuster; her sisters, Louise M. Torres, Ruby J. Osorio, Lorelie Marisol, and Debora Ayala; and her brothers, Angel Luis Ayala, David Ayala, and Samuel Maldonado. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ana Maria Espinosa and her brother, Jose Luis Ayala. 

She also leaves behind her beloved nieces and nephews Jose, Daniel, Angel Jr., Natalie, Mikaela, Migdaliz, Melanie, Aaliyah, Alyssa, Lucinda Lake, and many other nieces and nephews too numerous to mention. She is also survived by her special aunt Ada Alicea, along with many other aunts and uncles; her (sister) cousins Edna Williams, Olivia “Cookie” Del Valle, and Maribel Alicea Hernandez and many other cousins too numerous to mention; her in-laws Dorris Mohammed, Iris Santiago, Marta Santiago, Edith Longe, Dolores Santiago Jr., Joseph Torres, Marcial Osorio, Jessie Quinones, Solfenis Ayala, Maritza Ayala, and Miriam Ayala; and her special friends Lilliemae Percell and Rhea Stevens. She also leaves many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

A family and friends viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 15, from 5 p.m. -7 p.m. at Divine Chapel, #129 Peter’s Rest, Christiansted, VI 00820. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 16, at Iglesia (HUEC) – El Tabernaculo, #219 Williams Delight, Frederiksted, VI 00840. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.

The family kindly requests that family, friends, and guests wear shades of green in honor of Lourdes’ life and beautiful legacy.

Shefton Adonis Clarke Dies at 65

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Shefton Adonis Clarke Dies at 65

Shefton Adonis Clarke, affectionately known by family and friends as a kind and dependable soul, was born on July 25, 1960, and peacefully passed away on March 25, 2026. 

Shefton Adonis Clarke

His life was one marked by strong family ties, meaningful friendships, and a quiet strength that will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Shefton was preceded in death by his beloved spouse Glendale Clarke, his mother Olga Clarke, his father Edrick Saddler, and his grandparents Ida Brown, Darrell Saddler, and Zefanya Clarke.

He leaves to cherish his memories his brothers Gustin Clarke, Andy Clarke, Darius Clarke, Oakley Dunrod, and Dexter. He is also survived by his sisters Gladys Walters, Bate Carmel Morton, Dorn Thomas-Anthony, Sita Davida Stevens, Mervel, Sonia, and Annie Matthew.

He also leaves behind his loving aunts Anita, Magrita, Lorna Saddler, and Christine Springette, and his uncles Jimmy Brown, William Freeman, and Castro Saddler. Shefton’s legacy continues through his many nieces and nephews including Latonia Phillip, Shameka Walters, Nellissia Walters, Kishnel Walters, Wrennecia Thomas, Paige Thomas, Diamond Thomas, Sparkle Special Thomas, Sandi Prince, Shedi Prince, Rakheda Clarke, Tylah Clarke, Shadae Dunrod, Ashnel, Shawnel, and Dornel Walters, Wrenville Thomas, Kareef and Colin Morton. He is also fondly remembered by his cousins Angela, Lynette, Annette, Karen Nicholas, Kenette, Neil, Junie, Boyblue, Michelle, Evelyn, Bridgette, and William Freeman Jr., Junior, Lisa, Dave Brown, Doretta Brown, and Akeem Brown.

He is further survived by his in-laws Lornel Walters, Walford Stevens, Colin Morton, Deine Anthony, Claudette, and Aisha Clarke. Shefton was blessed with many special friendships that became like family. These include Agnes Clarke (his adopted mother), Dutchell Drummond, Karen Dickenson, Duce, The Boys Under the Tree, the Frederiksted HealthCare Family, Limpy, the Pemberton Family, the Southwell Family, the late Kada Warner and Family, Melrose and Ferdinand Treasure.

He also leaves behind his great-nephews Caliph Kennedy, Teraj, Tejani, and Tejai Jacob, Jaden, Tyreek, and Adonai Walters, Amarley Stevens, Malachi, and Jahmani Phillip, Zaire, Kalil, and Ezra Morton, and his great-nieces Chalaya, and Chaniya Nielsen, Allison Phillip, Junissia, and Julissa Hurst, Tay’Naisha, Addis-Ababa, and Sa’Riyah Walters, Alyssa Joseph, Sy’Nae Jarvis, Essence, Dajae, and Mercy Reed.

A Memorial Service honoring his life will be held on Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m. at Divine Chapel, #129 Peter’s Rest, Christiansted, VI 00820.

“Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.”

Op-Ed: Celebrating the Preservation of Perseverance Bay on St. Thomas

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Op-Ed: Celebrating the Preservation of Perseverance Bay on St. Thomas
Rugged coastline of Perseverance Bay where runaway slaves or maroons escape to small islands, cays, and inlets to and then to Puerto Rico for their freedom. (Photo by Toni Thomas)
The rugged coastline of Perseverance Bay on the West End of St. Thomas, where runaway slaves or maroons escaped to small islands, cays, and inlets and then to Puerto Rico for their freedom. (Photo by Toni Thomas)

I recently received good news from a friend, Sarah Haynes-Brin, president for Trust for Virgin Islands Lands. It said, “I have been meaning to reach out to you to express my deepest gratitude for your decades of commitment to preservation of Maroon Ridge and the important ecological and cultural resources of this area. Your commitment and perseverance are an inspiration to me and our team at Trust for Virgin Islands Lands. We also have goods news of 139 acres of Perseverance Bay in St. Thomas that will be forever preserved by the Territorial Park closing tomorrow!”

Olasee Davis
Olasee Davis, Ph.D. (Submitted photo)

As a child or youth, I have been connected to Perseverance Bay coastal environment, locally called “Flamingo Pond,” from the late 1960s, but particularly from the early or middle 1970s hiking this wilderness area of the West End of St. Thomas. I would ride my bike from Savan (Savanne’s) and meet Frank “Akanni” Francois, a good friend now deceased, and others at what was known back in the day as “Down the Roads,” Estate Bournefield, or the “Thatch Farm” area where we boys met and trekked to John Brewer Bay by foot into Perseverance Bay wilderness area.

Historically, the Great West End of St. Thomas was known for its runaway slaves or maroons due to the surrounding cays, inlets, or small islands where they escaped to and then onto Puerto Rico for their freedom. Historically, the first part of St. Thomas to be developed was the natural harbor on the South Side of the island in the 1700s. Originally it was known as Taphus and later renamed Charlotte Amalie in 1691. Thus, the development of St. Thomas concentrated from Fort Christian, spreading along the coastal natural harbor of the island serving as a maritime trading hub.

The West End estates of St. Thomas such as Fortuna, Botany Bay, Perseverance Bay, Catharina’s Hope and others began to be developed and settled prior to the turn of the 18th century. These estates began to expand between 1703 and the 1750s. However, the rugged topography and remote areas of the West End was one of the last frontiers on St. Thomas to be cultivated heavily by planters. Most of the settlers in the West End of St. Thomas were Englishmen and Dutchmen from neighboring Caribbean islands such as Tortola, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten.

The newly acquired 139 acres of Perseverance Bay for our park system has historic ruins that date to the 1820s. The historic structure at Perseverance Bay was a sugar factory that probably produced molasses or rum. The factory was once linked to an animal mill. Nevertheless, under the ownership of Thomas Armstrong in 1783, and Nathaniel Alt in 1778, some estates in the West End of St. Thomas shifted focus from cotton back to sugar. There is a great possibility that Perseverance Bay plantation could have once grown cotton. However, an archaeological study needs to be conducted to verify if Perseverance Bay was once both a sugar and a cotton plantation.

Perseverance Bay Pond should be designated as a wildlife Refuge as well as creating carefully plan hiking trails in the watershed. Photo by Toni Thomas
Perseverance Bay Pond should be designated as a wildlife refuge as well as creating carefully planned hiking trails in the watershed. (Photo by Toni Thomas)

During the early colonial history of St. Thomas, cotton was a profitable crop on the estates of the island. It also had been grown by many planters on the new colony of St. John. In 1733, there were 80 cotton plantations on St. Thomas and 60 on St. John. This accounted for more than half of all plantations on both islands. Cotton accounted for roughly 20 percent of the Danish West Indies exports to Denmark. The estates in the West End, like other parts of St. Thomas, were reliant on enslaved African labor.

Botany Bay plantation, for example, in 1804 to 1805 had 91 enslaved laborers with a high mortality rate, in some cases two to one according to Danish historic recorded between 1803 and 1848. Following the emancipation of 1848, the West End estates struggled economically. By the 1850s, the sugar plantations, including at Perseverance Bay, ceased their sugar operation. Eventually, the estates were converted into livestock farming. As time continued, the West End of St. Thomas grew back to forest.

However, a few years later large acres of estate lands on the West End of St. Thomas were abandoned. Nonetheless, Perseverance Bay is one of the 18 Area of Particular Concern (APC’s). The mandate to set aside land in the Virgin Islands as Areas of Particular Concern and create management policies to protect them originated in the National Coastal Zone Act. The guiding principle of this Act was to provide “procedures whereby specific areas may be designated for the purpose of preserving or restoring them for conservation, recreational, ecological, or aesthetic values.”

Former UVI Professor Roy Watlington with his green hat on his head and his students exploring the Perseverance Bay coastal environment. Photo by Toni Thomas
Former UVI Professor Roy Watlington, third from right in his green hat, and his students exploring the Perseverance Bay coastal environment. (Photo by Toni Thomas)

In 1979, Perseverance Bay was designated by the Planning Office and public hearing as a significant natural, cultural, and recreational area. In 1993, a law was passed to protect all 18 APCs in the Virgin Islands. That same year, the late Gov. Alexander A. Farrelly signed the bill into law. Over the years, studies of the Perseverance Bay watershed have been conducted by UVI students as well as other researchers.

The research findings were part of the grant application to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to purchase Perseverance Bay that Kitty Edwards and her staff of DPNR submitted. Toni Thomas and I from the University of the Virgin Islands, School of Agriculture, worked behind the scenes and submitted technical research and historical information to Haynes-Brin of the Trust for Virgin Islands Lands, and Kitty Edwads director of V.I. Territorial Parks and Protected Areas, a division of DPNR, and others for the land acquisition of Perseverance Bay.

UVI student standing in Perseverance Bay, known locally as "Flamingo Pond" surrounding by the mangrove forest.
A UVI student standing in Perseverance Bay, known locally as “Flamingo Pond,” surrounded by the mangrove forest. (Submitted photo)

Believe me, Kitty worked extremely hard in the negotiation with the property owners of Perseverance Bay and the federal government (NOAA) who are funding us the funds to acquire the 139 acres. It was a partnership with UVI, DPNR, Trust for Virgin Islands Lands, and others in the community to protect this critical habitant — a jewel of wildlife, marine and terrestrial living organisms. Perseverance Bay Pond should be designated as a Wildlife Refuge as well as creating carefully planned hiking trails in the watershed.

There are rare endangered species plants on the property. In fact, there are two endemic succulent plants species on the property as well as native endangered plant species such as Malpiighia woodburyana.Mangroves forests, coastal forests, upland forests, and moist basin forests in the guts (streams) environment make up the critical habitat of this remote area of the Great West End of the island. There are several guts in the area. The Jumbie Gut headwater starts from Hawk Hill 1,376 feet above sea level and deposits at Perseverance Bay and Brewers Bay.

Other guts in the area are Upper Billy Gut and Lower Billy Gut, which are located above the historic ruins. The marine environment is breathtaking and very diverse with plants and coral organisms. I am happy my childhood backyard in the west is now protected forever and forever, Amen. Whenever I fly into Cyril E. King Airport, Perseverance Bay welcomes me back to my place of birth.

 — Olasee Davis is a bush professor who lectures and writes about the culture, history, ecology and environment of the Virgin Islands when he is not leading hiking tours of the wild places and spaces of St. Croix and beyond.

Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.

Marta Navarro Dies at 83

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Marta Navarro Dies at 83

Marta Navarro, aka “Mama Mart” of Christiansted St. Croix, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026. She was 83 years old.

Marta Navarro

She was preceded in death by her spouse, Valentin Navarro; mother, Maria Mercedes Melendez; father, Eladio Cruz.

She is survived by her daughters, Beatrice Navarro, Celia Herman and Mercedes Reyes; sons, Andres Navarro, Javier Navarro and Luisito Navarro; grandchildren, Nigema and Naheema Navarro, Sheniqua, Geovanny and Johnathan Jimenez, Delisha Stoute, Dennisha, Dennis, Desiree, Delicia, Demanuel and Demarcus Arthurton, Daniel, Shimica, Shamira, Denzel, Dean, Devon and Deshany Benjamin; great-grandchildren, Jaun, Jahzara, Jalaya, Jahleesa, Jahmir and Jaeniyah Medina, Cy’Niziah, Nielsen, Cay’Lise, Cay’Liah and Cay’Lani Petersen, Cherish Abraham, Christopher and Syn Roberts; Symani, Synai, Symian and Sydney Stoute, Leinova Martinez, Aileen, Indi, Ivie and Leah Arthurton; nine more great-grandchildren to much to mention; sons-in-law, Junior Benjamin, Felix Herman and Marcos Reyes; great-sons-in-law,  Craig Petersen and Juan Medina; sisters, Iris Rodriguez and Gloria Hamilton; nieces, Carmen Aloyo, Carmen Rawlins, Elisabet, Elisa and Carmen Hamilton.

The family of Marta Navarro would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all who have expressed their condolences. 

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Schuster’s Crematorium, LLC.

Glorin Camacho Jr. Dies at 67

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Glorin Camacho Jr. Dies at 67

Glorin Camacho Jr., aka “Juni”, of Anna’s Hope, passed away on March 31. He was 67 years old.

Glorin Camacho Jr.

He was preceded by his parents, Carmen Dora Camacho and Glorin Camacho, Sr.

He is survived by sisters, Vilmagda Edwards, Maria Del Carmen Camacho, Romelia Camacho-Nanton; brother, Carlos Ortiz Jr.; nieces, Mellissa Vilmagda Mathews, Minelva Romelia Donato, Ebony Viola John Harris; great nieces, Auria Lynn Mathews, Ava Romelia Mathews, Alaya Harris; great nephews, Orelio Michael Mathews, Archer Sylvan Donato, Eugenio Harris III; aunts, Laura Camacho, Delora Acevedo; brother-in-law, Keithroy A.S. Nanton; cousins and other relatives, George Mathews, Joshua Donato, Eugenio Harris II, Gonzalez Family, Bermudez Family, Belardo Family, Acevedo Family, Mathews Family, Camacho Family, Luz E. Webster, Mireya Bermudez, Georgina Songy, Eva Bermudez, Marysela Gonzalez, Maria Belen Towers, Wilma Belardo- Galiber, Tony Belardo, Chichi Bermudez, Caco Bermudez, Gustavo Bermudez, Marco A. Gonzalez, Julio Gonzalez, Rey Belardo, Linar Acevedo, Yolanda Acevedo, Delinora Huffman, Victor Camacho, Juan Camacho, Robert Camacho, Nemecio Camacho, Sandy Acevedo, Ting Acevedo; special friends, Kenneth Brewster, Robert Burke, Peter Golden, Jose Antonio Osorio Navarro, Luis Santiago, Wayne Sealey; precious friends and other relatives too numerous to mention.

Funeral service will be held on April 13 at James Memorial Chapel. Viewing begins at 10 a.m., with service at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at Kingshill Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.

Roadside Maintenance Bill Held in Committee

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Roadside Maintenance Bill Held in Committee
Sen. Marvin A. Blyden, chair of the Senate Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, during a Wednesday meeting discussing Bill No. 36-0074. (Screenshot from V.I. Legislature livestream)

During Wednesday’s Senate Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Committee hearing, lawmakers considered Bill No. 36-0074, which would require property owners to maintain roadside vegetation and prevent obstructions to public roads and utility lines. The measure drew both support and concern from government agencies and utilities.

The proposal, sponsored by Sens. Kenneth L. Gittens and Avery L. Lewis, would establish the “Virgin Islands Roadside Property Maintenance and Vegetation Act,” creating enforcement mechanisms, penalties and exemptions aimed at improving road safety and infrastructure reliability.

Gittens framed the bill as a response to what he called a “persistent and territorywide issue” of overgrown vegetation blocking sight lines, encroaching on roadways and interfering with utility infrastructure. He said property ownership in the Virgin Islands must come with clear maintenance responsibilities.

The Virgin Islands Public Works Department backed the measure but cautioned that without dedicated staff and funding, it risks becoming “unenforceable,” Commissioner Derek Gabriel said. He urged lawmakers to route unpaid fines through property tax liens and create a special fund to ensure revenue supports vegetation management.

Gabriel noted DPW has already spent about $2.4 million this fiscal year on vegetation management and said shifting some responsibility to property owners would help the department move beyond what he described as a “cat and mouse” struggle with neglected parcels and focus more on major thoroughfares and government properties.

The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority supported the bill as “timely and necessary” but warned that disposal limitations could create unintended consequences. Executive Director Hannibal “Mike” Ware said the Anguilla landfill cannot currently accept green waste, leaving limited legal disposal options and increasing the risk of illegal dumping.

He cautioned that without a viable way to handle additional green waste, the measure could inadvertently encourage more illegal dumping instead of reducing it.

Environmental concerns were raised by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, which supported the bill’s public safety goals but warned against overreach. Assistant Commissioner Jozette Walker said unclear language could lead to over-clearing, potentially damaging slopes, drainage systems and coastal waters.

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority emphasized safety risks near power lines. Chief Operating Officer Lemuel Lavinier said vegetation contact accounts for about 20% of monthly outages per district and warned that line clearance is specialized, high-risk work that cannot be safely performed by untrained individuals. She urged lawmakers to require coordination with the utility for any work near electrical infrastructure.

Fire and Emergency Medical Services officials backed the measure, calling roadside overgrowth a persistent hazard. Director Antonio Stevens said vegetation interfering with utility lines has contributed to fires and emergency delays, noting that crews have often had to stand by while WAPA addresses sparking or compromised lines.

“For many years, overgrown vegetation along public roadways has posed a significant and ongoing hazard in our territory,” Stevens said. “These situations not only strain our resources, but also place both emergency responders and utility crews at unnecessary risk.”

While agencies broadly agreed that overgrown vegetation threatens public safety and infrastructure, they split over how far the bill should go in shifting responsibility and costs onto property owners.

Telecommunications providers urged caution. Tom Bolt, local counsel for Liberty Mobile USVI, said the bill “improperly shifts responsibility for public infrastructure maintenance from the government of the Virgin Islands to private property owners” and imposes obligations “even where vegetation is located within the public right of way.” He warned it could lead untrained individuals to work near energized lines, creating risks of injury or outages.

Clay Jones of Heritage Tree Company warned about “the difficulty and danger of people attempting to do this work on their own to save money and avoid fines,” saying the potential for serious injury is high.

Sen. Ray Fonseca called the bill “deeply flawed,” warning that a $1,500 lien could lead to tax delinquency and even loss of property. He said the measure “imposes responsibilities on property owners for areas beyond their property boundaries” and relies on vague standards that could invite arbitrary enforcement.

Sen. Dwayne DeGraff said he could not support the bill “in any way, form or fashion,” arguing that the measure would shift a basic government function onto residents who already pay for roadside maintenance through existing taxes and fees.

After the hearing, the bill was held in committee and did not advance. Gittens, one of the sponsors, said he plans to work with agencies and fellow senators on an amended version, saying the issue remains too serious to ignore.

“There’s a lot of work to do, but we need to focus on solutions and know what we need to do differently,” Gittens said.

VIWMA to Host Public Hearing on Solid Waste Management Plan

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VIWMA to Host Public Hearing on Solid Waste Management Plan
The VI Waste Management Authority’s logo is painted into the school’s mural, encouraging residents to take pride in keeping the territory clean as officials seek public input on future waste management strategies. (Source photo by Adisha Penn)

Residents across the U.S. Virgin Islands will have a chance Thursday evening to weigh in on how the territory manages its waste, as officials present a draft plan and seek public input before finalizing it.

The V.I. Waste Management Authority will host a public hearing Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to hear public comments and share highlights of its Solid Waste Integrated Sustainable Material Management Plan, which covers everything from household trash to appliances, glass, plastics and vegetative debris.

The public hearing will be held at UVI’s 13D Innovation Center on St. Thomas, Alfredo Andrews Elementary School on St. Croix, and the Legislature of the Virgin Islands Annex on St. John, as well as via Zoom at meeting ID 743 7657 9756 with password “solidwaste.”

Greg Guannel, director of the Caribbean Green Technology Center at the University of the Virgin Islands, said the meeting is centered on both presenting the plan and gathering feedback from the community.

“The purpose of the meeting is to have people provide their thoughts. We are really wanting to hear where people stand, what their issues are, so that we make sure that the plan is not just based on what we think,” Guannel said.

The draft plan outlines potential strategies for managing different types of waste, including recycling, composting and waste-to-energy approaches. Guannel said officials are looking not only for reactions to those ideas, but also for new ones.

“We have developed some strategies, but we want to make sure that those strategies resonate with the public and that the public understands why those strategies were adopted,” he said. “Maybe there’s something we missed or ideas we haven’t considered, so we want to hear about that as well — both reactions to the plan, but also ideas or desires.”

Guannel said residents can provide “comments on anything they think about related to solid waste, from recycling to composting to waste-to-energy.”

Dawn Lisa Henry, interim CEO of Island Green and an environmental advocate, said she is eager to see how vegetative debris is addressed in the plan and is encouraging residents to speak out on the issue at Thursday’s hearing.

“I am eager to hear the different components that are going to comprise their waste management strategy, and I’m really hoping that when it comes to our vegetative debris, that they are going to be talking about composting, mulching and chipping, which are higher beneficial uses for this resource than burning it,” Henry said.

Her comments come as lawmakers consider Bill 36-0232, which would reverse the territory’s “Ban the Burn” law and allow the use of air curtain incinerators to dispose of vegetative waste. The technology has previously been restricted due to concerns about emissions of hazardous gases, chemicals and fine particulate matter.

Henry said the proposal has prompted a broader effort among environmental groups, including a petition opposing the measure, and she urged residents to make their voices heard.

Henry said the meeting is intended as an opportunity for advocates to get their concerns about air curtain incinerators on the record while also connecting the issue to broader sustainability goals.

“We’re talking about food security, and I don’t want this just to be a conversation – I want to see it become reality,” Henry said. “It’s not unimaginable for any Virgin Islander to see the possibility of us being cut off at any time and not being able to receive our supplies from the mainland. What would we do? Because we’re 100% dependent, and we need to start charting that course toward growing more food here to sustain our people.”

In a press release, Island Green also praised the V.I. Waste Management Authority and the University of the Virgin Islands Caribbean Green Technology Center for engaging the public and said residents should use the hearing to weigh in on what they want, and what they don’t.

“I am hoping people show up tomorrow to voice their opposition to waste management using air curtain incinerators as the need for managing our vegetative debris,” Henry said. “We need to start a vigorous composting program in the territory, and as a community, we are here to support that effort. They do not stand alone.”

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