Virgin Islands Daily News – Dec. 13, 2016: Government Debt, Waste Management Disputes, Police Complaints, and Local News

86th year, No. 23811 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2016 $1 86 A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper ST. CROIX ST. JOHN ST. THOMAS TORTOLA CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, CULTURES AND HISTORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS SINCE 1930 Mini Page Pages 28-29 Tax hikes With government piggy bank empty Mapp turns to taxpayers for cash Unpaid vendor says trash haulers might stop collections Page 3 V.I. teams rack up golds in P.R. Back Page Centennial Countdown Sin taxes on alcohol, tobacco and soda and taxes on property and time-share owners would fund court-ordered back pay Page 5 Businesses to face spike in unemployment insurance rate to help V.I. government pay $69 million federal bill Page 2 Complex looks for win in Puerto Rico Back Page Digging up V.I.’s past Pages 10-11 Boat parade spreads Christmas cheer Page 24 www.virginislandsdailynews.com Twitter: @VIDailyNews www.facebook.com/virginislandsdailynews ISSN 2159-3019 2 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Tuesday, December 13, 2016 V.I. businesses face higher unemployment taxes as territory struggles to pay down $69 million debt By BRIAN O’CONNOR Daily News Staff Territory business owners will pay four times the normal federal unemployment tax rate this year because of an unpaid government debt, documents show. The federal unemployment insurance tax rate is traditionally 6 percent on the first $7,000 an employee makes. However, the federal government usually offers a credit of 5.4 percent, meaning most employers actually pay about 0.6 percent, according to the IRS. States — and territories — with unemployment insurance programs meeting federal standards are required to meet their unemployment obligations. When a state can’t meet its unemployment obligations, it’s entitled to take loans from the Federal Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Federal documents show only one state and one jurisdiction — California and the U.S. Virgin Islands — are currently in that position. The territory owes $69,138,266.61 in loans, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury website. In fiscal year 2017, which began Oct. 1, the loans have accrued $294,349.15 in interest payments alone. The V.I. Labor Department is in charge of administering unemployment insurance. Labor Commissioner Catherine Hendry did not return a number of phone calls seeking comment. Government House spokeswoman Cherie Munchez would not comment, saying that Hendry would issue a prepared statement about the debt by Wednesday. Provisions of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act stipulate that in states or territories with outstanding balances in the fund, businesses are subject to a credit reduction, which is collected and directed toward the unpaid balance, according to Robert Pavosevich, Supervisor of the Actuarial Team in the Office of Unemployment Insurance’s Division of Fiscal and Actuarial Services in the Department of Labor. Virgin Islands business owners will pay the original 0.6 percent, plus an additional 1.8 percent caused by the unpaid balance, for a total of 2.4 percent, Pavosevich said. At the fully discounted rate, an employer would pay $42 for each employee earning $7,000. At the Virgin Islands rate, employers will have to pay $168. After two years with an unpaid balance, the discount decreases by 0.3 percent each year until the total discount disappears, Pavosevich said. “It’s capped at 6 percent,” Pavosevich said. At the full 6 percent, employers will have to pay $420 for each new employee earning $7,000 that comes on board. By law, that money can’t come out of the wages themselves and is paid out of the profits or losses that employers face, said Charles Engeman, an attorney who served on the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council under the administration of Gov. John deJongh Jr. Without payment on the loan — or waivers or relief, which has happened three times since 2013 — the rate is scheduled to max out by 2028. That’s barring the imposition of step increases, which can happen if the state has an outstanding balance for a certain number of years, or if — as was the case in the tax year 2012 — step increases are piled on by other provisions of the law, which could move the unemployment tax rate up faster. “It looks like they’re not making much headway,” Pavosevich said, referring to the territory’s debt. The territory wasn’t alone in 2011, the first year the rate went up. In all, 20 states and the Virgin Islands received a 0.3 percent credit reduction that year, federal documents show. That’s in part because of the lingering effects of the Great Recession, said Bennett Chan, a lawyer who represents several businesses and has worked with the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce in the past. In general terms, states collected more money than they paid out during the years leading up to the 2008 market collapse, creating large surpluses. Sometimes those surpluses were subject to financial raids. Other times — as was the case in the territory — the surpluses were used as a cause to reduce the amounts collected for unemployment insurance. When large-scale unemployment hit as a result of the recession, surpluses turned into deficits, Chan said. “A lot of states were blindsided by the Great Recession,” Chan said. “They also had big surpluses and never foresaw that there would be this sudden inflow in unemployment claims.” Territorial officials were late in reacting to bring the rate back up to address the issue, Chan said. “If we had done it earlier, we probably would have collected enough,” he said. “Now they want to make it up when times are hard.” In many cases, the government can’t say what each employer owes “ I don’t think there’s enough political willpower to do the kinds of thing necessary to fix the system. — Charles Engeman, an attorney who served on the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council under the administration of Gov. John deJongh Jr. “ The business owners always bear the brunt of whatever deficiencies we have. We have to, at some point, find other sources of revenue for the government. Any time there’s any sort of additional tax burden, fee burden, licensing burden, it’s always a point of concern. — Kimberly McCollum, president of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce or has paid in surplus, Engeman said. The system originally was set up so that employers faced a roller coaster, Engeman said. Each employer had a rate based on a three-year average. If an employer’s account paid out more in benefits than they contributed, the rate would go up to 5.4 percent. After three years, the employer’s rate would drop down to 0.1 percent, because at 5.4 percent, the rate exceeded likely contributions. At 0.1 percent, if anyone were laid off, it immediately moved the employer back to the 5.4 percent rate. Employers would oscillate between the 5.4 percent rate and the 0.1 percent rate. “It was 5.4 for many employers, and that’s what an average employer would pay out over the course of 17 years for one employee,” Engeman said. As a result, the unemployment insurance fund accumulated large surpluses. To reduce the surpluses, the V.I. Labor Department dropped the automatic increase based on a negative account, and lowered the minimum rate to 0. Less money came in, even as unemployment rates remained high and benefits remained expensive. A few steps could help move the system back to sound footing, Engeman said. For example, better record-keeping would help reduce delinquencies. Reducing unemployment insurance benefits and reducing the amount of time the unemployed are eligible for unemployment would both help. Verifying that those collecting unemployment are seeking employment, and generally reducing fraud also would help, Engeman said. “I don’t think there’s enough political willpower to do the kinds of thing necessary to fix the system,” he said. Chamber of Commerce officials on both islands decried any increase in taxes or fees for businesses. “Despite what the governor and the senators think, the economy of the Virgin Islands is not doing that well,” said Tom Brunt III, a member of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Kimberly McCollum, president of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, said any increases to fees or taxes was worrying. “The business owners always bear the brunt of whatever deficiencies we have,” she said. “We have to, at some point, find other sources of revenue for the government. Any time there’s any sort of additional tax burden, fee burden, licensing burden, it’s always a point of concern.” The folly of the situation is compounded by the fact that business owners themselves aren’t allowed to file for unemployment if they lose their jobs, McCollum said. “You’re still paying unemployment taxes on what you’re paid, but you are not allowed to request compensation should you find yourself in a position to file for unemployment,” she said. — Contact Brian O’Connor at 340-714-9130 or email boconnor@ dailynews.vi. ISSN 2159-3019 Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. owned by VIDN Holdings, LLC publishes The Virgin Islands Daily News daily, except Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, at 9155 Estate Thomas, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802. First class postage paid at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. U.S.V.I USPS 144-180 POSTMASTER, send Form 3579, Notice of Address Change, to: Circulation Director, Daily News, 9155 Estate Thomas, St. Thomas, VI 00802. 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The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of a subscription with 30 days notice. The notice may be made by mail to the subscriber, by notice contained in the newspaper itself or otherwise. Subscription changes may be implemented by changing the duration of the subscription. Tuesday, December 13, 2016 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 Work stoppage threat gets Waste Management to table By JONATHAN AUSTIN Daily News Staff A Waste Management Authority contractor had planned a work stoppage this week because the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority owes vendors a lot of money and they can’t keep working for nothing. However, discussions with administrators at Waste Management led Peter Caproni, owner of Your Environmental Services Inc., to say he’s holding off on urging garbage collection vendors to stop work on Wednesday. “I’m not intent on messing up our communities,” said Caproni, whose company picks up the bin sites on St. John. “We’ve created a dialogue. I am a fair person,” Caproni said. “I want to listen to what they have to say. It seems as though they’re going to put together an offer.” Caproni had told The Daily News on Monday he was announcing a work stoppage beginning Wednesday. He said he and other haulers were going to stop emptying scores of bins across St. Thomas and St. John because Waste Management had failed to pay them for weeks or months. Caproni said he has worked 26 years in trash removal and roll on/ By BRIAN O’CONNOR Daily News Staff Police officials dismissed this week multiple complaints filed by a former employee against high-ranking members of the V.I. Police Department. The complaints are all filed by Lynne Harrison, the former director of the Police Training Bureau. In one such complaint, Harrison alleges Deputy Commissioner Curtis Griffin Jr. was “receiving compensation when absence from employment without proper leave documentation,” and “payroll fraud/embezzlement — falsifying timekeeping records, or when employees are not working while on the job.” In a letter attached to the claim, Harrison says that from August 2016 to the present, Griffin received compensation while not reporting for duty at the department. “In addition, he has not left forwarding contact information to those under his supervision and often was not available during contact attempts occurring during normal working hours,” Harrison wrote. “Griffin was available only via VIPD email which was delayed or not deliverable, thus leaving him ineffective and not suitable to be classified as working telecommuting.” Griffin dismissed the complaints roll off services in the territory. He said his company empties “all the rear load bins on St. John,” and does emergency Waste Management Authority work on St. Thomas. Contacted by The Daily News, Waste Management Authority executives were unaware Caproni and possibly two other haulers were walking off the job. Roger Merritt Jr., the newly hired executive director of the agency, said Monday evening he wants to meet with all the contracted haulers to see what they are owed and come up with a plan to get them paid. “I understand that the haulers need to get paid,” Merritt said. “We need to ensure we are able to make timely payments.” Caproni said he is willing to listen, but the answer has to be that the Waste Management Authority comes up with payment for services already rendered. “The solution is, you pay your bills on time,” he said. Patrick Charles, one of the vendors Caproni mentioned, said Monday that he has “reasons to be on board” with a work stoppage, though he couldn’t make such a decision alone. “I realize that he is upset,” Charles said, referring to Caproni. “It is time for anybody to get upset. I’m in agreement with him.” Charles said his firm empties bins on St. Thomas and hauls trash from Waste Management Authority collection sites in a number of government housing communities. Regarding how much Waste Management owes him, Charles replied: “It depends on what you call a lot. They’re two months behind, now.” Caproni wouldn’t say how much Waste Management owes him in total. “It’s a big amount of money,” he said. “I’m fed up with the whole thing.” Caproni said he estimated that Waste Management owes various vendors millions of dollars. The Waste Management Authority’s inability to pay vendors has been a topic during Senate testimony over the years. Steve Aubin, who was interim executive director of the Waste Management Authority for most of 2016, against him, and said he welcomed an investigation. “I want them to investigate because I’m hoping — when all is done — I’m hoping that maybe I can sue her for slander,” he said. “I have nothing to hide.” Harrison’s letter calls for Griffin to be investigated. “While his explanation of absence has been reported as a long term medical procedure, due to the extraordinary length of absence, previous absences, and non-contact information, a full investigation is warranted to insure the people of the Virgin Islands have not been deprived of its funds due to improper payroll deductions or notifications,” she wrote. The complaint was one of 10 filed after Harrison lost her job as director of the police department’s Training Bureau, according to copies furnished by Harrison. She filed a citizen’s complaint after her termination alleging that Police Commissioner Delroy Richards Sr. had violated department policy and that he had ignored requests for the correction of a violation. Harrison also filed a complaint alleging Griffin’s administrative assistant, Le-Reeda Lake, was absent on sick leave for four weeks without prior notice; that special assistant to the commissioner Capt. Mary Duggan had potentially disclosed confidential department information to a third-party vendor for personal gain, and had used threatening behavior to create a hostile work environment, and that she had obstructed Harrison’s performance of her duties. Harrison further alleged that Lt. Maria Colon-Jones had disrupted a training presentation, and she said her termination was retaliatory for asking for sick leave to be treated for Zika. Harrison said that she eventually fled the Virgin Islands in fear of her life and that the police department still owes her $5,000 in back pay, Harrison said. Harrison said Monday she’s submitted her complaints to Gov. Kenneth Mapp. “I was the director of training and was fired without cause,” she said. “I had filed several complaints.” Harrison said she requested 10 days of medical treatment off-island to combat a Zika infection on Oct. 18. “Two hours later, I was terminated,” she said. Documents provided by Harrison show she was suspended without pay on Oct. 18, and terminated on Oct. 28. Griffin said that while he was undergoing cardio rehab in Florida, he started hearing about issues involving told the Senate Finance Committee in July that the contractors needed to be paid. “It is clear that the contractors are bearing the brunt while trying to provide critical services in hopes of payment by the authority as soon as possible,” he said. Aubin ran the agency after the retirement of May Adams Cornwall until Merritt was hired last month. “The financial condition of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority is dire and requires immediate attention and relief,” Aubin told senators in July. “The authority’s available cash to pay its contractors/vendors timely is critically limited, resulting in delayed payments to its contractors/vendors; growing accounts payable, which is currently on the order of $10 million for its major contractors/ vendors; and non-compliance at the Anguilla and Bovoni landfills with court ordered mandates.” An example of the outstanding Harrison. Ultimately, Richards made the decision to terminate Harrison, Griffin said. “Subsequent to her termination, she started sending complaints,” he said. “She said she heard that while I was away I was practicing law and not really sick.” Harrison wasn’t his supervisor, and wasn’t aware of how the accumulated sick time was being used, Griffin said. “She submitted so many complaints against so many people,” he said. “It’s obvious that it’s frivolous.” The complaints have not yet resulted in an internal investigation, Richards said. “I found she was too much of a distraction for us to move forward with the actions as required of us by the mandates of our consent decree,” Richards said about his decision to terminate Harrison. Harrison had failed to submit to a department background check in a timely manner, Richards said. “The department brought her in on an interim basis initially, and then she was asked to comply with the package that we provided in order to conduct a background investigation,” he said. “She offered resistance. She believed she could complete her own timeline.” Harrison said she had asked for 10 obligations owed by Waste Management has been highlighted for the last two years in Senate testimony during the budget process. For Fiscal Year 2016, the agency noted it owed vendor Gem’s Construction $200,000 from fiscal year 2012 to pay for garbage collection services on the island of St. Thomas. The Waste Management Authority noted that it was “unable to identify a revenue source” to pay Gem’s for the years-old debt. During testimony on the Fiscal Year 2017 budget, Waste Management again listed $200,000 owed to Gem’s Construction for garbage collection on St. Thomas. However, Waste Management officials said the $200,000 was owed from the 2011 fiscal year. No one from Gem’s Construction was available for comment Monday afternoon. Merritt said he believes the Waste Management Authority can address the overdue debt owed to the vendors. “I think we can. We’ve got to get a plan in hand and get them paid. If they provide a service, they should get paid,” he said. — Contact Jonathan Austin at 340-714-9104 or email jaustin@ dailynews.vi. Police: Ex-employee filing ‘frivolous’ complaints against top cops “ The solution is, you pay your bills on time. — Peter Caproni, owner of Your Environmental Services Inc. days to secure her college transcripts. “My email specifically says I am not saying I don’t want a background check,” she said. Richards said he ultimately directed Harrison’s complaints to the legal department, but he said Harrison continued to send letters and emails. A response from the department’s legal counsel provided by Harrison says simply that Harrison couldn’t use the citizen’s complaint process to complain about things that happened while she was the director of the Training Bureau, and that each complaint will be closed as it is received. “In some of her letters and emails, she appeared very threatening,” Richards said. “In one of her emails she wrote ‘You are sicker than a tree branch that’s going to be cut down very soon.’ It’s one ignorance after another.” Harrison disputes that characterization. “I’m very professional,” she said. Griffin was on legitimate sick leave when he was in Florida, Richards said. “He was being treated and he entered into a program in Florida,” he said. “The woman is on a witch hunt all over.” — Contact Brian O’Connor at 340-714-9130 or email boconnor@ dailynews.vi. 4 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Tuesday, December 13, 2016 Police say woman tried to smuggle pot into prison By BRIAN O’CONNOR Daily News Staff A Mon Bijou woman tried to sneak two bags of marijuana into Golden Grove, police said. Sherifa Petersen, 27, faces a single charge of introducing contraband into prison, and was free on $10,000 bail about six hours later, according to her arrest record. V.I. police arrested Petersen on Friday afternoon about 1:47 p.m., after corrections officers discovered By BRIAN O’CONNOR Daily News Staff the marijuana hidden in the personal belongings of inmate Omari Gordon, according to Petersen’s arrest log. Rick Mullgrav, Director of the Bureau of Corrections, said corrections officers discovered the marijuana during a routine search. Petersen “was bringing a package for her companion, and I will say her companion, because I’m not sure what the relationship was there,” Mullgrav said. “She was coming to visit, and she brought some drugs.” Corrections officers told police The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will sit this week in the federal courthouse on St. Thomas. Judges Kent Jordan, Michael Chagares and Thomas Hardiman will hear a range of appellate cases, ranging from a local prisoner challenging his detention as unconstitutional to an estate battle over an inheritance in which two separate federal cases were merged into one. The judges fly in from Philadelphia to hear argument on issues they decide at a later date. Appellate court argument is based around rapid-fire questions from the empaneled judges, unlike civil or criminal court, which frequently is dominated by long exchanges between they had smelled marijuana in a pair of black Jordan sneakers Petersen was bringing to Gordon, according to a VIPD press release. When corrections officers pulled apart the sneakers, they discovered two small plastic bags of marijuana, according to the press release. Any material that ends up in the hands of prisoners is thoroughly searched as a matter of routine, Mullgrav said. “We search any item that goes to the inmates,” he said. “Generally attorneys and witnesses. The appellant attorney gets four minutes to make a case, followed by four minutes from the appellee, followed by four minutes of rebuttal from the appellant attorney, though judges’ questions can sometimes turn four minutes into eight. For example, Ronald Gillette, incarcerated in 2008 on multiple counts of aggravated rape and unlawful sexual speaking, it’s pretty thorough.” Gordon, 32, has been in jail since police charged him with firstdegree attempted murder and firstdegree assault following a Nov. 29 shooting on St. Croix, authorities have said. Gordon’s name also matches that of a man charged in 2010 with the murder of 19-year-old Kendal Wood. Gordon’s trial languished in the Superior Court on St. Croix for almost three years, and he was most recently granted a continuance in 2013. contact against two children, is seeking an appeal on a motion denying his release from custody. Gillette’s attorney, Joseph DiRuzzo III, began on Monday by making his case that the motion, ordered by Chief District Court Judge Wilma Lewis, constituted a final judgement and thus was worthy of an appeal. DiRuzzo sought a three-judge panel to overturn Lewis’s order. It didn’t take long for Jordan to ask a question. “How can it be a final order if there are still claims in the case, if you’re still seeking relief, which you are?” he said. DiRuzzo had a response. “The denial of a three-judge panel effectively throws Mr. Gillette out of court,” he said. He started to add to this, but Jordan cut him off. “There are claims for relief, they still exist,” he said. “I’m struggling to see how this is a final judgement.” Orders relating to the change in the reduction of a prison population essentially rely on three-judge panels to be valid, DiRuzzo said. Prison orders issued by a single judge are subject to challenge on appeal, DiRuzzo said. “I would submit that three-judge courts are desirable in confrontations between state and federal power,” he said. Kimberly Salisbury was the Assistant Attorney General arguing for the appellee. Her job on Monday was to tell three federal judges that it wasn’t their job to decide Gillette’s case. “This particular order is just simply not final,” she said, at one point. The disposition of the murder case involving Gordon couldn’t be immediately ascertained Monday evening. Gordon had been released on electronic monitoring and house arrest pending trial in 2013, according to court documents at the time. He was being held on $500,000 bail in his most recent arrest, police said. — Contact Brian O’Connor at 340-714-9130 or email boconnor@ dailynews.vi. Federal judges from Philadelphia in the Virgin Islands to hear cases Pick 3 (Dec. 12) Morning 1st prize 5 5 4 Midday 1st prize 8 7 0 Sunset 1st prize 3 9 8 Evening 1st prize 0 3 7 Caribbean Lottery Pick 4 (Dec. 12) Morning 1st prize 4 3 6 2 Midday 1st prize 2 3 0 4 Sunset 1st prize 8 0 9 6 Evening 1st prize 7 5 8 0 However, Hardiman had a question. If there was an order short of Gillette’s release that could make the prison resolve the Eighth Amendment violations that put the prison under a federal consent decree for decades to resolve, Lewis or another judge could still make the determination. The prison has completed only 14 percent of the new consent decree ordered in 2013 according to testimony. “What would that order look like?” Hardiman asked. Salisbury struggled with an answer. Jordan tried to steer the argument back to the facts of the case. “Does the fact that a 2013 consent decree superseded and replaced the original, does it mean the three decades of prior noncompliance is to be ignored?” he said. “You’re not even a fifth of the way completed. At what point is enough enough?” Complying with the consent decree will take time, Salisbury said. “According to the Bureau of Corrections, we’re not there yet,” she said. Chagares jumped in, and compared Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility to a luxury cruise liner. “It’s like your big cruise ships out in the bay,” he said. “It takes a long time to turn around. But this is a really long time.” Hearings will continue today before the Third Circuit at the DeLugo Federal Building on St. Thomas at 9 a.m. Another session is set for Thursday starting at 10:30 a.m. — Contact Brian O’Connor at 340-714-9130 or email boconnor@ dailynews.vi. Mega Millions (Dec. 9) Next draw: Tonight 19 27 47 67 68 Mega Ball: 1 Powerball (Dec. 10) Next draw: Wednesday 12 21 32 44 66 Powerball: 15 Tuesday, December 13, 2016 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 5 Mapp turns to new taxes in accepting court ruling on 8% government pay cut By JONATHAN AUSTIN Daily News Staff Gov. Kenneth Mapp said Monday he believes the territory must accept a federal court ruling that found a 2011 government employee pay cut unconstitutional. “After reviewing the case with the attorney general and reviewing the case with our financial team, I really am of the mind that the government of the Virgin Islands should make good on this claim,” Mapp said. He said he wants the Legislature to sign on to a plan to pay the claim and address other issues by approving increased sin taxes, taxes on time-share occupants, and changes that set a minimum tax for property owners who claim tax credits. He said the lawsuit judgement is valued at $65 million. “We will include all workers affected by the cut. In unions, all unions, and out of unions,” Mapp said. The territory had asked the full 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the judgement, which was penned by three of the court’s judges. The court rejected that request Monday. The governor made his comments during a press conference Monday morning on St. Croix. The conference originally had been scheduled for Friday on St. Thomas, but was delayed for no stated reason. Mapp also announced he has invoked public exigency authority to fast track road repairs in the territory. He described public exigency as “sort of a public emergency” declaration that should allow the government to more quickly award repair contracts for roadways that have deteriorated following extensive rainfall. Mapp said he has consulted with federal authorities and hopes to access existing highway project funds “to use them to get the primary road system and secondary road system repaired.” He said the work will be done under existing federal road requirements, meaning they include proper drainage, sidewalks, striping and other elements, “all compliant with federal highway and DOT standards.” Regarding the 3rd Circuit ruling on the 8 percent cuts enacted through the V.I. Economic Stability Act of 2011, Mapp said the territory could pay off the amounts due to employees in two years if plaintiffs in the case give the government time to make good. He said the payments can be satisfied if new tax collections from what he called the Virgin Islands Enhancement and Economic Recovery Act, which must be approved by the Senate, total at least $80 million. He said alcohol and tobacco in the Virgin Islands is sorely undertaxed, and 40 million bottles of beer are sold each year in the territory. Additional tax also would be charged on distilled alcohol and wine. “In addition, we are seeking at least $12 per carton tax on cigarette and tobacco products in the territory,” as well as “a sugar tax on carbonated sweet beverages,” Mapp said. Mapp suggested most of the millions of beers are consumed by tourists, so the tax would target visitors who enjoy the territory and should contribute to maintaining its infrastructure. “If you felt that was too expensive, then stop drinking beer. That’s healthy. That’s a benefit,” Mapp said, referring to locals who drink alcohol. Mapp is also seeking a tax on timeshare occupants, and wants to require that any resident claiming credits on property taxes pay a minimum annual property tax of $360. He said the additional tax revenue could also provide $18 million to pay worker’s compensation debts to medical providers, hospitals and injured workers in the territory. Mapp said Monday that “as of today,” he was not prepared to call the Legislature back into session to address his proposal. Senate Majority Leader Sammuel Sanes said Monday he hopes more revenue could be generated through the reopening of the St. Croix oil refinery to pay some of what Mapp wants. “We shouldn’t rely so much on taxation. Right now, people of the Virgin Islands are facing a financial burden. Now we want to tax them more. That is not appealing to me at all,” he said. “There are some good points” to the governor’s suggestions, Sanes said. “I see his point. I can understand where he is coming from,” he said. Lame duck Sen. Clifford Graham said Monday that the promise to repay government workers back for the pay cut won’t be enough to convince legislators to support Mapp’s proposal. “The governor has sent us his version of the deficit reduction strategy,” Graham said. There are parts that senators will support, and “some we definitely would not be in favor of,” he said. Graham said paying back the government employees should be a priority. “Are they Number 1 on the priority list? I think there are more critical issues now,” Graham said. Graham said he is not sure whether the 31st Legislature will consider Mapp’s approvals before it stands down this month. “I am willing and able to work until my last day,” he said. “I am not sure the calendar will afford us the time to do so.” — Contact Jonathan Austin at 340- 714-9104 or email jaustin@dailynews. vi. Senate Agenda Today The Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in the Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix to get an update on the V.I. Police Department, the V.I. Corrections Bureau and the V.I. Health Department. Wednesday The Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in the Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to consider a bill relating to the International Banking Center Regulatory Act and a bill reappropriating $2 million of Luis Hospital appropriations for the use of the HVAC project. Thursday The Rules and Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas to consider bills that include a bill to increase the Emergency Services Surcharge from $1 to $2; a bill providing for the disposition of proceeds from the rental or sale of housing units acquired in the Limetree Bay Terminals operating agreement to a bill regarding the establishment of credit unions and their oversight; and a bill creating the V.I. Risk-Based Capital for Insurers Act. Friday No meetings. Governor’s Agenda Today No appearances scheduled. Government House did not provide Gov. Kenneth Mapp’s agenda. 6 The Virgin Islands Daily News VIRGIN ISLANDS Tuesday, December 13, 2016 Oswald Harris Court raid yields 2 marijuana arrests By SUZANNE CARLSON Daily News Staff ST. THOMAS — A massive operation involving more than a dozen armed local and federal officers — while a helicopter circled overhead — at Oswald Harris Court on Friday evening yielded two marijuana arrests. Jose Squiabro, 42, and Yasim Ross, 31, both of Oswald Harris Court, were arrested as a result of the operation, according to court documents. Both were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and released Monday after posting $10,000 bond each. Arraignment for the two men is scheduled for Jan. 5. Friday’s operation shut down the housing community and caused alarm for residents around Estate Thomas, Long Bay and Centerline Road. More than a dozen armed officers secured the intersection around Building 9 in the housing community as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter flew overhead. None of the officers would say what they were doing, but they were dressed in tactical gear, some armed with long guns that appeared to be semi-automatic rifles, and officers wore body armor labeled as being from the Drug Enforcement Administration or police. Probable cause affidavits filed Monday against Squiabro and Ross shed light on the operation, known as “December Reign.” The operation is a joint effort by officers from Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Justice Department, and the V.I. Police Department. It is meant to patrol St. Thomas housing communities, “due to the recent increase in gun violence in those areas,” according to the affidavit for Ross. At 4:45 p.m. Friday, officers approached a group of men around Building 20 and noticed Squiabro drop a partially smoked joint, according to the affidavit. Officers recovered the joint and 105 bags containing marijuana, according to the affidavit. The affidavit does not note how large the bags were or the total weight of marijuana Daily News file photo A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter circles Estate Thomas on Friday evening as police on the ground secured the intersection around Building 9 at Oswald Harris Court housing community on St. Thomas. By SUZANNE CARLSON Daily News Staff ST. THOMAS — Federal agents arrested a crack cocaine dealer in Red Hook on Saturday as part of an ongoing investigation targeting armed drug trafficking, according to court documents. Tolomah Foy was arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, according to an affidavit filed Monday by a special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, also known as the ATF. The arrest came as a result of operation “Total Recall,” an ATF initiative on St. Thomas that began in August and is ongoing, according to the affidavit. “This investigation focuses on the armed drug trafficking fueling violence which has resulted in over 48 recovered. Officers also recovered $1,045 in cash and a Samsung cell phone from Ross, both of which were returned to him, according to the affidavit. Squiabro’s criminal history includes a 1993 arrest for second-degree burglary, which was dismissed in 1997; a 1996 arrest for possession of stolen property, for which he was sentenced to a $500 fine, one year in jail suspended after six months, and two years’ probation; and a 2001 arrest for possession of an unlicensed firearm, for which there homicides to date,” according to the affidavit. Agents focused on armed drug traffickers operating in Red Hook, a commercial bar and restaurant district frequented by a large number of tourists, and have created cases against 10 subjects for federal firearm and narcotics violations so far, according to the affidavit. On Nov. 11, an undercover agent made a cold contact with Foy, also known as “T,” who led the agent behind Tap and Still and sold him approximately 3 grams of crack cocaine, according to the affidavit. The agent exchanged phone numbers with Foy and called him on Nov. 14 to arrange another transaction outside the Fresh Mart Grocery store. Foy asked the agent to instead meet him behind Tap and Still, where he sold him approximately 6 grams of crack cocaine for $200, according to the affidavit. On Nov. 17, Foy sold the was “no known disposition” listed in court documents. Similar to Squiabro’s arrest, at about 5:50 p.m. Friday, officers approached Ross and other men near the 1st Stop Gas Station in Estate Thomas, which is located south of Oswald Harris Court. When asked whether he had any illegal substances, Ross said, “yeah I have a little weed in my back pocket,” according to the affidavit. Officers found a total of 2.2 ounces of marijuana packaged in various plastic bags in Ross’ possession and arrested him, according to the affidavit. Ross’s criminal history includes a 2003 arrest for third-degree burglary; a June 2009 arrest for delaying and obstructing; a Sept. 2009 arrest for first-degree robbery, possession of a dangerous weapon, and unauthorized use of a vehicle; and he was arrested in January and charged with destruction of government property. Court documents list “no known disposition” for each of Ross’s prior arrests. — Contact Suzanne Carlson at 340-714-9122 or email scarlson@ dailynews.vi. Crack dealer arrested in Red Hook agent 9 grams of crack cocaine for $600 at the same location. On Friday, the agent exchanged text messages with Foy and arranged for another transaction, and on Saturday, agents recorded a phone call with Foy in which he agreed to sell approximately $1,500 worth of crack cocaine, according to the affidavit. The agent met with Foy at approximately 6:15 p.m. Saturday in the rear parking lot of Tap and Still, “consequently the ATF cover teams descended on scene and arrested Foy,” according to the affidavit. Agents retrieved 15 grams of crack cocaine from Foy on Saturday, and seized approximately a total of 32 grams of crack cocaine from Foy during the investigation, according to the affidavit. — Contact Suzanne Carlson at 340-714-9122 or email scarlson@ dailynews.vi. Tuesday, December 13, 2016 FOR THE RECORD The Virgin Islands Daily News 7 Man arrested in Arizona for armed jewelry store robbery By SUZANNE CARLSON Daily News Staff Police have extradited a man from Arizona and charged him in connection with the 2013 armed robbery of Gems and Gold Corner, according to V.I. Police spokeswoman Sakeeda Freeman. Ron Kuntz, 42, was arrested at 11:55 p.m. Saturday and charged with irst-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, grand larceny, irst-degree assault, third-degree assault, destruction of property, and aiding and abetting. Bail was set at $150,000. Kuntz and others were identiied as being responsible for the armed robbery in Drake’s Passage on Sept. 16, 2013, Freeman said. The robbery occurred just before 10 a.m. when a man entered the store and pulled a handgun from his waist, police said at the time. The robber told the owner, who was the only person in the store at the time, to get down and then broke out some of the glass cases in the store. Police did not say what the value of the goods taken was. Kuntz was apprehended and detained in Tempe, Ariz., after a routine trafic stop, and Arizona police discovered there was an outstanding warrant for Kuntz from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Freeman said. Kuntz waived extradition and was returned to St. Thomas to face charges, Freeman said. Freeman said Kuntz lives in Estate Tutu, but the V.I. Police arrest log listed his address as East Baseline Road in Phoenix, Ariz. Anyone with information about crime in the territory can contact the V.I. Police Department at 340- 774-2211, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-714-9801, the anonymous tip service Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477, or 911. — Contact Suzanne Carlson at 340-714-9122 or email scarlson@ dailynews.vi. Cruise Ships Today, Dec. 13 Norwegian Escape (5,400) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Havensight Carnival Glory (2,974) 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Havensight Carnival Magic (4,675) Noon to 8 p.m. Havensight Harmony of the Seas (6,780) 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Crown Bay Wednesday, Dec. 14 Norwegian Epic (4,100) 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Havensight Norwegian Gem (2,394) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Havensight Regal Princess (3,560) 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Havensight Grandeur of the Seas (2,446) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Inner harbor Eclipse (2,582) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crown Bay Oasis of the Seas (6,296) noon to 8 p.m. Crown Bay The police blotter is the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency’s list of calls to 911 Emergency operators and the time they were reported. St. Croix Charged: Assault George Christopher, 62, of Mon Bijou was arrested at 10:30 a.m. Friday and charged with second-degree assault-domestic violence. Police said he choked a woman. No bail was set per the domestic violence statute. Charged: Fugitive from justice Everick Phillip, 31, of Mount Pleasant was arrested at 6:20 p.m. Sunday and charged with being a fugitive from justice. Police said he was wanted on a warrant out of Orange County, Fla. No bail was set. • • • Incidents in the police blotter included: Assault — 10:54 p.m. Sunday, Golden Grove; 3:16 p.m. Monday, Kingshill. Destruction of property — 12:32 a.m. Monday, Salt River; Police blotter 11:51 a.m. Monday, Strawberry Hill; 12:09 p.m. Monday, Salt River; 6:30 p.m. Monday, La Reine. Larceny — 11:17 a.m. Monday, Mutual Homes; 3:15 p.m. Monday, Richmond. Vehicle tampering — 8:59 a.m. Monday, Hannah’s Rest; 12:28 p.m. Monday, La Reine. St. Thomas Charged: Assault Anthony Picot, 31, of Smith Bay was arrested at 2:40 p.m. Saturday and charged with second-degree assault and disturbance of the peacedomestic violence. No bail was set per the domestic violence statute. Charged: Assault Kimberley Williams, 27, of Bovoni, was arrested at 5:50 a.m. Monday and charged with third-degree assault-domestic violence. No bail was set per the domestic violence statute. Charged: Assault A 17-year-old boy was arrested at 12:10 p.m. Monday in the area of the Lucinda Millin Home and charged with third-degree assault. He was released to the custody of his parents. • • • Incidents in the police blotter included: Assault — 4:32 a.m. Monday, Oswald Harris Court; 4:38 a.m. Monday, Bovoni; 11:50 a.m. Monday, Savan. Attempted burglary — 6:03 p.m. Monday, Mariendal. Destruction of property — 3:56 p.m. Monday, Port Authority. Larceny — 11:42 a.m. Monday, Mahogany Estate. Unlawful entry — 11:34 p.m. Sunday, Anna’s Retreat. Vehicle tampering — 11:34 a.m. Monday, Port Authority; 7:37 p.m. Monday, Zone C; 7:52 p.m. Monday, Zone C. St. John Incidents in the police blotter included: Larceny — 12:28 p.m. Monday, Zone D. Outside fire — 11:05 a.m. Monday, Zootenvaal. Vehicle fire — 2 a.m. Monday, Gerder Marsh Road; 2:43 a.m. Monday, Gerder Marsh Road. 8 The Virgin Islands Daily News DEATHS Tuesday, December 13, 2016 Ivan A. Frazer Muhammed Ivan A. Frazer Muhammed, also known as BKA Kitchel or Rock City, 80, of St. Thomas, died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, at Schneider Regional Medical Center. He was born Oct. 6, 1936. His children and their children; daughter – Denise Frazer; Kneka Dewindt, Rick Lewis and Caprisha Richards; Ivan A. Frazer daughter – Cheryl Muhammed Frazer Jackson; Kevin Jackson Jr. and Chynelle Munnilal; daughter – Elise Frazer; Jaymel Leonard, Jalima Francis, Tiba Francis, Gyasi Francis, Jahmela Maduro, Jamari Maduro and Jarise Maduro; daughter – Rehenia Frazer-Phillip (Akiemba); Rehema (Alika) Jackson, Saitah Aubain, Sencelia Renolds, Quamid (Presidente) Asani and Shaeed Gumbs; daughter – Venise Frazer; daughter – Shenika Muhammed; Jason And Jahni Pemberton; son – Tyrone Frazer; Bajani Frazer, Taj Mahal Frazer, Tamar Frazer, Sohi Frazer, Jahti Frazer, Iibea Frazer; son – Keith Frazer; Jarell Frazer; son – Albert Frazer; son – Ivan Frazer Jr.; his siblings/sister – Rehenia Joshua and Blanche Frazer; and brother – Victor Frazer. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the viewing at Christ Church Methodist on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, at 9 a.m., followed by the service at 10 a.m. Interment is at Western Cemetery No. 3. Arrangements are under the care of Hurley Funeral Home and Cremation Center of St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Tortola. For directions and online condolences, please visit us at www.hurleydavis. com. Diana S. Richardson Services will be held Saturday for Diana S. Richardson, 38, of St. Thomas, who died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at Schneider Hospital. The first viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Celestial Chapel of Hurley Funeral Home. The second viewing will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Church of God of Prophecy in Estate Hoffman. The service will follow at 10 a.m. Diana S. Richardson Interment will be in Western Cemetery No. 2. She is survived by her mother, Sonia Richardson; father, Romeo Richardson; siblings, Romeo, Nancy, Sharon, Louise, Karen and Lydia; nephews and nieces, Ly’Dale, Jayziah, Kerrisa, Mokesha, Aaliyah and Kayla; great aunts, Isalene Clomel Shelford, Irene and Frances Hughes, Rita Joseph and Olivia Rievere; aunts, Verna Rollins, Claudette Prince, Janetta Gumbs, Juliette, Ena, Christibell and Violet Imogen Richardson; greatuncle, Melvyn Shelford; uncles, Egbert Hood, Aubrey, David and Elroy Prince, David, Wycliffe, McIntosh, Elkin and Sanford Richardson; cousins, Albert, Yves, Egbert Jr. and Tisha Hood, Kim Rollins, Patrick and Patricia Farrel, Toya Rollins, Latrema Simon, Jermaine, Aubrey Jr., David Jr. and Lanna Prince, Diana Williams, Janice, Jewel, and Joslyn Gumbs, Joanna Haley, Nigel, Davida, Daniella, David, Radoykah, Radimiroh, Radiquah, Rohan, Jan, Devaunie, Daeja, Moyagaye, Udlyn, Simone, Leonardo, Ashael, Elson, Elvin, Saniqua and Casey Richardson; the Shelford, Rollins, Nibbs, Maduro and Smith families; and many other extended family and friends too numerous to mention. Arrangements are by Hurley Funeral Home and Cremation Center of St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Tortola. For online condolences visit www. hurleydavisfuneralhome.com. Germain Petersen Services will be held Thursday for Germain Petersen, who died on December 6, 2016, at her residence. She was 61. The viewing will be from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Celestial Chapel at Hurley Funeral Home. The funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She will be cremated. Germain Petersen She is survived by her husband, Donald Petersen; children, Donald, David and Gina Petersen; daughter-in law, Dawn Petersen; grandchildren, Delano and Destini; brothers, Edward, Edmund and Edville Bryan; sisters, Jeanette Querrard, Joycelyn Harris and June Aubain; sister-in-law, Eleanor Chote; brothers-in-law, Daniel Petersen, Eddie Aubain and Alpha Harris; special family friends, Camille DeCosta and Gilbert Laban Jr.; and many more family and friends Arrangements are by Hurley Funeral Home and Cremation Center of St. Thomas and St. John. For online condolences visit www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com. Catherine Ann Elizabeth Felix Services will be held Monday for Catherine Ann Elizabeth Felix, 93, who died on Dec. 5, 2016, at her residence. The first viewing will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hurley Funeral Home. The second viewing will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Eastern Cemetery. She is survived Catherine Ann Elizabeth Felix by her brother, William Fergus; sisters, Grace Duberry, Catherine Lizzie White, and Mary Allen; children, Noelise Noel, Glendor Christine Fagan, Catherine Matthew, Emeline Clauretta Felix, Nilda Hector, Elsie Weeks, Joseph Fergus and Winsley Felix Sr.; sons-in-Law, Patrick Hector and Thomas Noel; Grandchildren, Bernard and Robert Attidore; Derrick, Jadine, and Carolyn Allen, Jacqueline and Alicia Fagan; Neuvena Cuffy and Tashina Rogers; Tamika De La Cruz, Kyle and Nathan Felix; Wakima, Yakim, and George Baptiste III, Phillip, Kristal and Keanna Hector; Damali, Shanika, and Kareem Smith, and Geneiva Weeks; Joe-Ann, Joseph Jr., J. Daly, Ja’Den Fergus; Carl and Winsley Felix, Jr.; and many more great grandchildren, relatives and friends. Arrangements are by Hurley Funeral Home and Cremation Center of St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Tortola. For directions and online condolences visit www.hurleydavisfuneralhome. com. Tuesday, December 13, 2016 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 9 Prosecutors: white powder letters contained hoodoo curse By SUZANNE CARLSON Daily News Staff A woman facing federal criminal charges for mailing letters containing white powder was attempting to place a hoodoo curse on her enemies, according to court documents filed by prosecutors in the case. Eugenia Winston, who is facing 32 counts of mailing threatening communications, placed “hotfoot” powder into envelopes containing subpoenas that she mailed to witnesses set to testify against her in a civil lawsuit against her former employer, Scotiabank, according to court documents. Hoodoo, also known as “rootwork,” is a traditional African American folk spirituality that developed from a number of West African spiritual traditions and beliefs. The detail came in prosecutors’ opposition to Winston’s motion to suppress all of her statements to authorities, which was filed Monday. Winston has been free on unsecured bond since Sept. 1, and her civil lawsuit against Scotiabank alleging employment discrimination and harassment has been placed on hold until the criminal case against her is resolved. At a detention hearing on Sept. 1, Federal prosecutor Chris Fisanick said Winston’s actions were a clear threat intended to terrorize the recipients of the letters, and made reference to the 2001 anthrax attacks. Postal Inspector Eric Oram said at the hearing that the substance was determined to be nontoxic and was likely baby powder, cornstarch, or a similar substance. Winston’s attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Gabriel Villegas, argued that Winston is the victim of an unfortunate misunderstanding, and she accidentally spilled body powder over and into the envelopes. However, Monday’s filing by federal prosecutors paints a slightly different picture of Winston’s Hoodoo, also known as “rootwork,” is a traditional African American folk spirituality that developed from a number of West African spiritual traditions and beliefs. actions. “Winston mailed over 30 envelopes that contained ‘hotfoot’ powder and subpoenas to various individuals in the Virgin Islands. Hotfoot powder is a hoodoo curse designed to prevent witnesses from appearing in court to testify,” according to the filing. “Hotfoot” powder is a hoodoo practice of mixing various ingredients — often some combination of cayenne pepper, Sulphur, copper sulphate, cornstarch and other elements — which is believed to drive away enemies. Commercial versions of the powder also are available for sale online. Recipients of Winston’s letters were mainly witnesses who might testify against Winston in her lawsuit against Scotiabank, and also included U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller, the legal counsel for Scotiabank and Winston’s former counsel in her suit against Scotiabank, according to prosecutors. Because the envelopes had a return address of the U.S. Courthouse on St. Thomas, “despite the fact that Winston was serving these subpoenas herself,” some of the envelopes that could not be delivered were returned to the courthouse and opened by staff there, according to prosecutors. “Believing the powder to be anthrax or some other deadly biological toxin, the United States Courthouse was evacuated and closed; the employees in the courthouse who were exposed to the powder were quarantined for hours,” according to the filing. The incident caused significant disruption at the courthouse and at the private law office of attorney Bennett Chan near the West Indian Co. cruise ship dock. “The purpose of lacing these envelopes with hotfoot powder was to instill fear and intimidation in the witnesses to prevent their testifying against Winston,” according to prosecutors’ filing. The filing does not indicate how authorities determined the substance in the envelopes was hotfoot powder or what ingredients were in the powder. Winston admitted to FBI investigators shortly after the envelopes were received that she was the sender. But Villegas has filed a motion to suppress all of her statements to law enforcement, saying she was not properly advised of her right to avoid self-incrimination. But prosecutors shot back in Monday’s filing, saying there is no evidence in a video-recorded interview with Winston that authorities did not properly advise her of her rights or attempt to intimidate her to give a statement in any way. Villegas wrote in his motion that “the videotaped interview speaks for itself.” However, prosecutors wrote that “the most cursory view of Winston’s video recorded interview with law enforcement agents establishes beyond cavil that Winston was never coerced, was properly and repeatedly advised of her rights, and consciously waived those rights,” according to Monday’s filing. “The first thirty seconds of the interview wholly defeats Winston’s meritless motion.” Winston is scheduled to go to trial on Jan. 11 before U.S. District Judge Juan Sanchez. — Contact Suzanne Carlson at 340-714-9122 or email scarlson@ dailynews.vi. 10 The Virgin Islands Daily News Tuesday, December 13, 2016 CENTENNIAL SCENE Archaeology in the Virgin Islands Virgin Islands laborers excavate pre-historic deposits at Magens Bay, St. Thomas. The Cuban Scientific Expedition to the Virgin Islands in 1951 was documented by archaeologists Oswaldo I. Morales Patiño, above, and Fernando Royo Guardia, and subsequently translated and annotated many years later for the Virgin Islands Archaeological Society in its Journal number 5 (1978) by Alfredo E. Figueredo. Morales Patiño was president of the National Board of Archaeology and Ethnology within the Ministry of Culture and Education from 1951-1955. During that same period, Royo Guardia served first as secretary and then treasurer. The visiting Cuban scientists were part of a commission formed, among other objectives, to study and identify possible routes through which prehistoric cultures may have reached Cuba, to seek evidence of the presence of common Cuban influences in Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and to ascertain the spread of Carib influence and identify the culture found by Columbus on St. Croix. Welcomed in the Virgin Islands by Gov. Morris de Castro, they visited and examined four sites. On St. Thomas, they judged the Magens Bay site to be Arawakan culture with a few Igneri specimens. Administrator Harry E. Taylor accompanied the visitors on St. Croix, where they viewed three more sites: Christiansted environs where they examined and collected a number of rimsherds and shell samples; the Salt River midden, with its French fort earthworks foundation, where they were able to excavate pottery, stone, shell and shell bead specimens; and Estate Richmond, where they viewed artifacts, including some Igneri pottery, obtained by the owners from Salt River and from an Indian site on the estate. According to Figueredo, the “importance of this work (by the Cubans) is not due solely to its reports of archaeological remains, however; it is also a historical document, offering us interesting information on the state of affairs, beliefs, and personalities of its time. The Cubans came during one of our minor dark ages — when archaeological work had come to a near standstill, and the history and historiography of the (Virgin Islands) ... were in abject abandon.” Katheryne Brooks Kay-Willock, archaeologist with the Conservation and Cultural Affairs Department, studies the remains of what is believed to be 1,000-year-old skeleton located at Hull Bay beach in 1974 in St. Thomas, at a proposed condominium project. Photo courtesy of THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, OUR NEW POSSESSIONS The “ribbon-sealed” bottle, a P.F. Heering Company “Heering’s Cherry Cordial” bottle produced in the period 1835-1850, was recovered from the harbor in St. Thomas, where many such items have been discarded over the centuries. The Schenectady (New York) Gazette of Jan. 7, 1981, reported an upcoming lecture presentation to the National Bottle Museum Society in Ballston Spa, N.Y., on the “Buried Treasures of St. Thomas.” The newspaper reported that lecturer Gary T. Stephenson “recently returned from the Virgin Islands where he provided consulting services to an individual who has unearthed over 3,000 bottles from an old community dump. The collection dates back to 1700. ‘I have never seen so many bottles come out of one dig,’ said Stephenson, vice president of the museum society. Bottles in the collection come from Paris, London, Martinique, Canada, Germany and the U.S.A. They graphically illustrate the history of St. Thomas, showing evidence of worldwide trade and commerce. The St. Thomas collection is considered to be the fifth largest collection in the U.S.” Photo courtesy of VAGN PETERSEN’S DANISH BOTTLES Tuesday, December 13, 2016 The Virgin Islands Daily News 11 CENTENNIAL SCENE Fort Salé (formerly Fort Flamand) at the entrance to Salt River in St. Croix is the oldest intact colonial earthwork fort under United States authority. It is also believed to be the only extant earthwork fort in the entire Caribbean. Begun circa 1640 by the English, it was occupied in turn by the Dutch, then the French. The fortifications lie directly adjacent to the Columbus landing site and an ancient Taino ceremonial ball court and plaza. All these features are part of the National Park System’s Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve, co-owned by and managed under an agreement with the government of the Virgin Islands. The Daily News of May 13, 1938, reported the 1934 discovery by Alvarez Julien of skeletal remains and pottery sherds on Water Island. Based upon the direct association of shells, stone implements and pottery in the area, Julien suspected the remains to be Carib Indian in origin. In 1936 he brought news of his find to the attention of J.C. Trevor, who was conducting field work on the Negroes of the Eastern Caribbean under his fellowship in anthropology at Northwestern University. The skeletal remains had been re-interred and while all could not be relocated, those that could were donated by Julien to Oxford University for further identification and study. Provisionally they were classified as pre-Columbian with further characteristics to be defined and confirmed. The images above and others appeared in the article “Skeletal Remains from the Virgin Islands” in the April 1938 issue of “Man, A Monthly Record of Anthropological Science,” published by the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland (Vol. XXXVIII, 47-65). According to The Daily News, Virgin Islands “Governor Lawrence Cramer gave permission for the material to be excavated and sent to England.” An old scale found on St. John and donated to Cruz Bay Museum on July 8, 1974, by Russel Dennem. Photo courtesy of ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECONNAISSANCE OF THE ISLAND OF ST. JOHN, UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS, PLATE VII Petroglyphs at Congo Cay, north of Cruz Bay off St. John. About the Images: Images provided by the Territorial Archives of the Government of the Virgin Islands, a unit of the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. Additional images sourced as otherwise noted. For more information on the holdings of the Territorial Archives, contact Territorial Archivist Susan Lugo at 340-774-0630, or email [email protected]. 22 The Virgin Islands Daily News Tuesday, December 13, 2016 Founded Aug. 1, 1930, by J. Antonio Jarvis and Ariel Melchior Sr. Published by Daily News Publishing Co., Inc. Archie Nahigian, President Gerry Yandel, Executive Editor Ken E. Ryan, Production Director Onneka Challenger, Circulation Director What’s the speed limit on Magens Bay Road? Is it how fast you can run? What do the new Magen Bay signs mean? Public Works installed four of these signs on Magens Bay Road in November in response to the speeding problem. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary the abbreviation of miles per hour is “mph” and there should be a number in front of mph designating the speed. On these signs, the number is omitted, so 86 A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Newspaper ST. CROIX ST. JOHN ST. THOMAS TORTOLA EDITORIAL BOARD J. Lowe Davis, Editor At Large Lisa Jamil, Advertising Director Juanita Young, Controller Lori Emery drivers have no idea what the speed limit is. St. Thomas is an international destination, and we have contemporary street signs that use symbols for walkers, joggers, bicycles etc. I know we can do better in the signage department on Magens Bay Road. — Lori Emery, St. Thomas ◆ See Your Views In Print ◆ The Daily News is always interested in publishing local views on topics of general interest, and we especially welcome commentary on issues affecting the Virgin Islands and its people, culture, businesses and government. Send Letters, Essays, Halos and Pitchforks, Cartoons or other original material about local issues of general interest to [email protected] The Daily News’ opinions are expressed only in its editorials. The opinions expressed in columns, letters, cartoons and guest editorials are those of the particular author or artist. OPINIONS Where will Trump venture for his first state visit? Barbara Streisand and Lena Dunham may be some of the higher profile Trumpfugees leaving the country and heading to Justin Trudeau’s Canada. What is less certain is if a President Donald Trump will make Ottawa his first foreign port of call — a longstanding presidential and foreign policy tradition. Post-election, Trudeau quickly called to congratulate PEOTUS Trump on his victory and the Canadian tweeted, “(W)e agreed to meet soon to keep building the Canada-US relationship.” Trump may want to use the highvisibility first trip to do something other than affirm tradition and reflect the importance and strength of U.S.- Canadian ties. He may want to make a grand strategy statement, letting the world know that he is going to shakeup the global status quo. Calls to Taiwan, support for the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and meeting with Japan’s Shinzo Abe have already shaken up the foreign policy establishment’s rules for protocol, as well as approaches to human rights and global power relations. All this wellbefore Trump has even been sworn-in. Once in office, Ronald Reagan began the tradition of new U.S. presidents making Canada the first foreign presidential visit. George W. Bush notably broke from this tradition, making his first stop Mexico, a country he knew well. He also hoped his trip and Cinco de Mayo parties on the White House lawn would attract Latino voters to the Republican Party. Trump has already been to Mexico, met with President Pena Nieto, gotten a great presidential photo-op and made his talking points. It is unlikely he will be heading south of the border first. Making a splash abroad will likely require a large rally — similar or bigger than candidate Barack Obama’s visit to Berlin in the summer of 2008 — and may be chosen based on the right mix of pomp, circumstance, strategy and significance. If two big border nations are knocked out of the running for the primary reception of America’s new head of state, where might he go first? There are any number of early supporters in other countries who could be rewarded and elevated by a presidential visit. The scramble to send invitations to Trump Tower has already begun. U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May is considering an invitation on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. Trump’s friendship with and preference for Brexit leader Nigel Farage as Britain’s next diplomatic envoy will require Trump to balance Buckingham Palace pageantry, the “special relationship,” Brexit forces and a potentially restive urban populace before deciding to touch down in London Town. Numerous foreign leaders supported Trump’s candidacy early on, mostly opposition politicians. A few, however, are running countries. They include Hungary’s Viktor Orban, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe and, of course, Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Rewarding them with an American inaugural visit would be revolutionary and could set in motion dramatic changes in how America’s global relations, alliances and power balancing is perceived and conducted. Big, bold, groundbreaking unprecedented moves were the hallmark of Trump’s campaign: Is there a reason to believe he would take a different approach to governing? Trump’s brand of politics is proudly unconventional — from his brand management business to his Fifth Avenue transition tower to his tweet-centric campaign. Where will he go? Japan, Russia, China, Italy, Germany, France — maybe even India, Australia or Argentina? Tipping favor toward any of the G8 member countries other than Canada for a “first visit” would create both new foreign policy opportunities and challenges. To avoid granting any nation the favor of a first foray, however, he may decide never to leave the country at all, requiring all foreign leaders visit him at Trump Tower, Mar-a-Lago, the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster … or maybe even the White House. — Markos Kounalakis is a senior fellow at Central European University and visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution. Contact him at [email protected] Employers should not impose religious views on employees In my opinion, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput is wrong in his view that religious liberty in the United States is under attack (Philadelphia Inquirer and Philly.com, Dec. 8, 2016). Religious institutions are free to believe and preach whatever they want. I think that what they are not free to do is impose those beliefs on their employees. For example, a Catholic-affiliated Markos Kounalakis Richard Carroll organization may believe that contraception is immoral, but I don’t think that organization should be allowed to block its female employees, who may or may not be Catholic, from access to contraception through its medical insurance plans. I worked for a Catholic organization (the Knights of Columbus) for 30 years. Its 600 employees — most of whom were non-Catholic women — had access to contraceptive coverage through the employer-provided health plan. Freedom of religion means freedom not to have your employer’s religious views imposed on you. — Richard Carroll, a part-time St. Thomas resident, is the former Associate General Counsel of the Knights of Columbus Tuesday, December 13, 2016 • Page 24 Lighted Boat Parade Boats festooned for Christmas wow spectators during the Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday along the Christiansted boardwalk on St. Croix. Above, the crew on Time Out waves to the crowd. Left, Santa makes an appearance. Top left, Live the Dash delivers a message of peace. Winning entries were: Sail Boats, first place, Time Out; Power Catamarans, first place, Adventure, second place, Gemini/Century; Power Boats Under 25 Feet, first place, Saorise, second, Checkmate; Power Boats 26-32 Feet, first place, Firefly; Power Boats 33-39 Feet, first place, Benita, second place, Golden Eagle; Power Boats 40 Feet, first place, Irie Feelin, second place, Milemark/Rotary; Power Boats 41+ Feet, first place, Reliance (SCUBA), second place, Renewed Interest; Best Lights, a tie between Living the Dream and the U.S. Coast Guard; Best Decorations, La Vie En Rose; Best Animation, Cat Chi; Best Music, Turn & Burn; Best Creativity, Live the Dash; and Best Boat Overall, Heineken Barge. Daily News photos by ROB JONES Send us your Island Life news, events and photos The Daily News is expanding its Island Life section. Do you have an event, a celebration, or a milestone, including a birth, graduation, wedding, retirement, award, honor or military accomplishment you’d like to share? Maybe you have a photo from around our islands you think our readers would like to see, whether it’s a beautiful sunset, a big catch or people just having fun in the sun. Help us celebrate our community by sending us your contributions to [email protected]. The possibilities are endless. Tribute to a V.I. leader The community paid tribute to the late Mulo Alwani on Friday with a memorial service gathering at the Mark C. Marin Center at Antilles School on St. Thomas. Alwani, the president of the India Association of the Virgin Islands and a longtime community leader, died on Nov. 19 in Miami after a bout with cancer. He was 79. Alwani, the former owner of Artistic Jewelers in Charlotte Amalie, had served on the Schneider Medical Center governing board and was a leader in the Rotary and the Masonic Lodge. He was remembered as the “godfather of the Indian community” as well as a friend and a mentor to many. Tuesday, December 13, 2016 ISLAND LIFE The Virgin Islands Daily News 25 Ulla F. Muller students attend a pep rally to roll out the school’s Positive Behavior Support and Interventions initiative on Nov. 30 on St. Thomas. Ulla F. Muller students pledge good behavior Ulla F. Muller Elementary School rolled out its Panther PRIDE Positive Behavior Support and Interventions (PBIS) initiative at a pep rally at the school on Nov. 30. The fun, high-energy event laid the groundwork to teach students the behaviors that make up a positive school environment. Administrators taught the students the core values of the school through PRIDE: P — positive behaviors, R – respect, I – individual responsibility, D – determination and E – excellence. Students held signs depicting the values while Muller cheerleaders and the Boys & Girls Club performed to rally around the cause. St. Thomas-St. John PBIS district coach Darian Torrice-Hairston, who is assigned to Ulla F. Muller Elementary, praised the event. “As the PBIS district coach for Ulla F. Muller Elementary School, I have certainly caught the Panther PRIDE! It was evident that the administration, staff and students exhibited their Positive Behavior, Respect, Individual Responsibility, Determination and Excellence. PBIS and its strategies are a priority at Muller and they are working hard to implement the program as it fits their school,” she said Following the rally, teachers will continue to instill the Panther PRIDE principles in students on a daily basis as well as demonstrate what Panther PRIDE looks in each area of the school. School staff will integrate the Panther PRIDE language into daily routines to encourage students to strive for excellence. The PBIS initiative is rooted in evidence-based practices meant to increase behavioral and academic outcomes by improving school climate, preventing problematic behavior, increasing learning time and promoting positive social skills. Up to five members from each school were selected to attend training facilitated by PBIS coaches from the state and district. School representatives were tasked with producing positive behavior values unique to their institutions and introduce them to teachers and students. The goal of the PBIS initiative is to focus on what the students do right, rather than on what they do wrong to help encourage the repetition of good behavior. As Muller Elementary continues to support its students through PBIS, additional phases of the initiative will be introduced, such as a positive reward system as well as ceremonies to celebrate student and staff success. With the help of the district coach, Muller’s in-house PBIS task force will guide the PBIS initiative to support the school. Central High School students that participated in this year’s “Close Up Washington” trip to Washington, D.C., include Ethaliah Henry, Jenna Malcomb, Nathan McGregor, Destiny Stout, Martisha Charles, Pellis Leonard, Franchel Rodriguez, Jayla Norman, Khaiel James and N’Quelle Golden. History teacher Ericka Hansen is the Close Up adviser. Students get ‘close up’ with democracy Students enrolled in the St. Croix Central High School Close Up organization recently returned from the nation’s capital where they attended the Close Up Washington flagship program. The group of 11 traveled Nov. 13-19 and joined with other Close Up high school chapters from across the country to learn about the American democratic process. Central High School history teacher and Close Up advisor Ericka Hansen took 10 students on the annual trip, which gives high school students and educators an inside look at their democracy in action. Using the nation’s capital as their living classroom, program participants get a “close up” view of government processes and places that make the district unique and functional. Students visited the Washington Monument, Martin Luther King Memorial, the Smithsonian, U.S. Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and more. Students also participated in political discussions and met with members of Congress. The program provided social activities for the students in the evening. Founded in 1971, the Close Up organization has provided more than 825,000 students with educational tours about government and the political processes. Tuesday, December 13, 2016 ISLAND LIFE The Virgin Islands Daily News 27 Club gets facelift Crowley Caribbean Services went to the Oswald Harris Court neighborhood on St. Thomas recently on behalf of the Crowley Cares Foundation and spent time sprucing up the Boys and Girls Club. Crowley personnel from St. Thomas, St. Croix, and the states helped to clean up and paint the facility and donated furniture for the children to use for their arts and craft programs. The Crowley Cares Foundation allows employees to make monthly contributions, which the company matches, to nonprofit groups in the communities Crowley serves as a cargo carrier. Crowley also delivered a check to help the club purchase a laptop computer. In addition to the contributions, employees donate their time to community groups like the Boys and Girls Club. Students’ cultural calendar also marks V.I. centennial The Virgin Islands Cultural Contributors 2017 calendar is available at St. Croix Educational Complex for $12. The students of the St. Croix Educational Complex are working on a collaborative project to celebrate the upcoming centennial anniversary of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Called the Virgin Islands Cultural Contributors Calendar Creation and Theatrical Performance, the project consists of a 12-month calendar featuring 12 V.I. cultural contributors, accompanied by live interviews. Visual arts, drama and speech teachers Danica David and Sayeeda Carter are the directors of the project and are using students from their classes and the school’s Art Club to bring the vision to life. Art Club students will use photographs of selected participants to create mixed media portraits for the calendar. Simultaneously, Carter’s drama and speech students will conduct interviews with the participants that will be used to create brief write-ups to go along with the graphics. The cultural contributors were selected based on being natives of the Virgin Islands or residents for at least 15 years and also active contributors to the development of Virgin Islands’ culture through fine arts, education, literature, and history. The students will formally present the finished project at a reception that will feature an art exhibition and theatrical performances embracing V.I. culture and honoring the contributors. The event will take place at St. Croix Educational Complex in January. Calendars are available at the school in December for $12 each. The educator duo, David and Carter, developed the project so Virgin Islands students could learn about the individuals in their community that aid in the advancement of local culture. The calendar is expected to be produced annually. The project is sponsored by Rotary Club of St. Croix, Mid Isle and the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands. Magazine reprint celebrates centennial To celebrate the centennial of the transfer of government from Denmark to the U.S., the St. Thomas-St. John Friends of Denmark Society announces the facsimile publication of a commemorative magazine printed by the society in 1967. The title is “50 Years: St. Thomas Friends of Denmark Society.” The chairperson of the magazine committee was Eldra L.M. Shulterbrandt. Articles by Omar Brown, Fred Gjessing, Bill La- Motta, Francesca Greve, Gertrude Dudley, Rabbi Sasso and Enid Baa are featured in the magazine. Eldra Schulterbrandt wrote “Quo Vadis” and Gov. Ralph Paiewonsky’s stirring “What is Virgin Islander,” is printed in full. The editor was Carlos Dowling, with design and layout by Ira Smith. Even the advertisements provide a peek at the islands’ past. The restoration of the initial magazine, including the mixed coloring of the pages, was made possible through digitalization by Bill and Frannie Newbold of Island Business Graphics. It’s an accurate reproduction of the original. The magazines are $25 and are available at the V.I. Children’s Museum, Frenchtown Museum and My Brother’s Workshop Bakery on Back Street downtown and in Red Hook at Chelsea Drug Store and Sandra’s Secretarial Service — Lock and Blade. Additional sites will be announced. Members of the society will also have copies to sell. 30 The Virgin Islands Daily News ISLAND LIFE Tuesday, December 13, 2016 St. Croix Arthur A. Richards Jr. High School Music Department presents Christmas Concert 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the school’s auditorium, featuring the Concert Band, Choir, Steel Band and cheerleaders. The Youth Band Dance Ensemble of St. Patrick’s School will make a special guest appearance. ••• John H. Woodson Junior High School invites parents, guardians, and the St. Croix community to its 2016 Christmas Concert, featuring the Concert Band and the Touch of Love Chorale in the school’s auditorium on Thursday at 7 p.m. The December PTA meeting will precede the concert at 5:30 p.m. ••• Torah scribe at synagogue The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas welcomes Sofer Rabbi Druin from 5 to 7 p.m. this evening. Druin is in St. Thomas to help the synagogue maintain its historic Torahs and invites you to come learn and ask about the work of the Torah scribe, a 300-yearold craft. For information email info@ synagogue.vi or call 340-774-4312. Holiday Happenings The second annual Holiday Fest will take place on Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight at Buddhoe Park, bandstand and Strand Street in Frederiksted. Come shop and make it a picture-perfect day with Santa Claus. Vendors are welcome. Contact 340- 778-1012, ext. 6200 or 6206 for more information. ••• The Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Frederiksted Economic Development Association, presents a Community Holiday Giveback with Sunset Jazz at Buddhoe Park on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, go to visitusvi. com. St. Thomas Pistarckle Theater presents Briefs AARP meets on Saturday AARP St. Thomas Chapter 3138 has rescheduled its regular meeting from Dec. 24 to Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the sun room at Schneider Hospital. The newly elected executive oficers and board members will be installed. Beer & Bacon Bacchanal Worldwide West and Island Vibes “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. For tickets visit www.pistarckletheater.com or call 340-775-7877. ••• Miracle on Main Street celebrates its 24th year on Friday in downtown Charlotte Amalie, featuring musicians, culinary delights and shopping. For more information, or to become a sponsor, contact the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce at 340-776-0100 or email [email protected]. ••• Sea View Nursing Home will host its annual Christmas Gala on Dec. 22 at the facility on St. Thomas. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. and presentations will follow at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Simone Edwards at 340-777-3303. Summer Camp invite you to a Beer & Bacon Bacchanal at The Shops at Yacht Haven Grande pool on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information on how to participate, volunteer or become a sponsor, call 340-626-3729, visit www. facebook.com/USVIcamp or email islandvibessummercamp@gmail. com. The St. John Singers will perform two holiday concerts with guest soprano Laura Strickling on Dec. 21 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay and on Dec. 23 at Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay. St. John Singers welcome guest soprano for holiday concerts The St. John Singers are celebrating their 35th anniversary with a special guest at two holiday concerts during the week preceding Christmas. Soprano Laura Strickling, who has a home on St. Thomas, will be performing with the choir at their annual concerts in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay on St. John. Strickling has been described as possessing “a lexible voice, crystalline diction, and warm presence” by a reviewer in the New York Times. She has received numerous awards for her performances of opera, classical and contemporary music. “We were very lucky to get her,” said Janice Ballard, who has directed the St. John Singers for the last ive years. “She was on St. Thomas and had only a four-day window between other engagements to sing with us.” The singers’ selections will include carols from around the world, and in keeping with the tradition, the audience will be invited to sing along with the choir on a medley of holiday songs. This year the choir will be accompanied on piano by Arboris de Jesus, a talented young musician who was born in Puerto Rico and raised on St. Thomas. She now studies music at Lawrence University. The St. John Singers concerts will be held on Dec. 21 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay, and on Dec. 23 at Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay. Both concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which are available at the door, are $20. Children are admitted for free. Ravens-Patriots in AFC showdown Page 34 Alabama, Ohio State lead All-America team Page 33 Virgin Islands Daily News Sports Tuesday, December 13, 2016 STX Educational Complex takes win over P.R.’s Juncos Broncos V.I. swimmers take gold at P.R. Nationals By DAVID EDOLE Special to the Daily News ST. CROIX — The St. Croix Educational Complex High School’s tackle football exacted some revenge for the Virgin Islands, roughing up Puerto Rico’s Juncos Broncos, 20-8, on Saturday night. The Barracudas, behind the duo of Vernon Clarke and Cristian Perez, ran out to a 14-0 halftime lead. Scott Cofiell Clarke, Complex’s quarterback, called his own number in scoring on an 18-yard run. He then handed off to Perez, the Barricudas’ tailback, who scampered for a 12-yard score. The extra points were good by Roland Richards both rushing, but were awarded one point each. “We didn’t know that the National Federation of High Schools changed the rules on extra points,” said Educational Complex head coach Scott Cofiell. “The new rule is one point for a rushing and two for passing.” Complex poured it on in the second half when defensive end Antonio See BARRICUDAS, page 35 Photo courtesy SCOTT COFIELL St. Croix Educational Complex High School quarterback Vernon Clarke, center, hands off to tailback Cristian Perez during Saturday’s game against the Juncos Broncos at Pista Atletica Municipal de Juncos in Puerto Rico. The Barricudas went on to take a 20-8 victory over the Broncos. By BILL KISER Daily News Sports Editor Swimmers from two Virgin Islands swim teams brought home a combined 49 medals from the Puerto Rico Short Course National Championships, held Dec. 2-4 at the San Juan Natatorium. The St. Thomas Swim Association (STSA) team finished eighth overall in the Webster Bozzo combined team scoring, while the St. Croix Dolphins (SCD) came in 12th. Puerto Rico’s Bayamon Swimming Team won the overall team title. St. Thomas swimmers won 13 events, finished second in seven events and third in five others. St. Croix swimmers won in eight events, and finished second in eight others and third in eight events. St. Croix’s Webster Bozzo led all the Virgin Islands swimmers with five gold medals, posting the top times in the boys 15-16 division in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke, 100- and 200-meter freestyle, and the 200-meter individual medley. He also finished second in the 100-meter See SWIM, page 35 Tuesday, December 13, 2016 The Virgin Islands Daily News 35 BARRICUDAS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 Polanco picked up a fumble and returned it for score to push the Barricudas’ lead to 20-0. “Our defense played very well,” Cofiell said. “Aderemi Flores had an interception and had a couple of returns of 40 yards. Lejoni Williams was all over the field and led us in tackles.” The Broncos added a late touchdown from Diego Luna and twopoint conversion from Hernan Velez for the final score. “I was playing all my guys at that point,” Cofiell said. “I wanted to give everyone the experience of playing in Puerto Rico.” After the game, the Broncos set up a meet-and-greet between both team and an innovative idea came out of it. “They took care of us all weekend,” Cofiell said. “They gave us a place to stay and ground transportation. They even took us sightseeing of old San Juan before being dropped at the airport. “We invited them to come to St. Croix and play us during the Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship weekend; hopefully it could be a yearly thing. Either they come one year or we go, this was a positive experience for us.” “This was an amazing event,” Juncos head coach Manuel Santiago said. “We were very happy to host them and we enjoyed them, too. This was an excellent opportunity to open our relationship and we are working on coming to St. Croix in October.” St. Thomas schools Charlotte Amalie and Eudora Kean, the 2016 St. Thomas-St. John IAA champs, Photo courtesy SCOTT COFIELL The players and coaches from the St. Croix Educational Complex and Juncos Broncos football teams gather at midfield for a postgame photo after the Barricudas’ 20-8 win over the Broncos on Saturday at Pista Atletica Municipal de Juncos in Puerto Rico. played teams from Puerto Rico last month, losing to the Dorado Spartans and University Garden Dolphins, respectively, in games played at Lionel Roberts Stadium. “I think we should have a combined league with Puerto Rico,” Cofiell said. “We play one home and one away every year. Look, our ticket cost $150, that’s not much more than flying to St. Thomas. It could be done. But before we approach Puerto Rico, we would need a unified league between St. Thomas and St. Croix agreeing on stuff to make it happen. Then we could move on to Puerto Rico, They are not that far away. “They are more Puerto Rican teams than Virgin Islands teams. A mixed schedule will have to be created with a Caribbean champion between the winners of each league. People are really interested in playing in football. If we’re going to grow, we need to play good teams to get better and Puerto Rico has been playing a while.” The Puerto Rico High School Football League is presently comprised of seven teams — Antilles High School, Baldrich Comets, Parque Central Bluewaves, Parkville Steelers, Juncos Broncos, Dorado Spartans and the University Gardens Dolphins. SWIM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 individual medley and 50-meter backstroke. Mary Killman led St. Thomas with four gold medals, winning in the girls 19-under division in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter backstroke, and the 200-meter individual medley. She also finished third in the 50-meter freestyle. Killman also set meet records in two events, with her time of 30.09 seconds in the 50 backstroke shattering the old record by 1.24 seconds, and her time of 1 minute, 5.08 seconds in the 100 backstroke breaking a 14-year-old record by 1.14 seconds. St. Thomas’ Audrey Moore and Ky Odlum, and St. Croix’s Matthew Mays won three events each. Moore took gold in the girls 11-12 division’s 50- and 100-meter freestyle events, and teamed with Carter Maltby, Casey Vanderwall and Ana Pia Brunt to take the 200-meter freestyle relay. She also took seconds in the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley, and teamed with Vanderwall, Maltby and Brunt to take second in the 200-meter medley relay. Moore also finished third in both the 400-meter freestyle and 100-meter individual medley. Odlum won in the boys 13-14 division in the 50-meter freestyle, 50-meter backstroke and 100-meter butterfly. He also finished second in the 50-meter butterfly, and third in the 100-meter individual medley. Mays won in the boys 17-18 division in the 100-meter individual medley, 200-meter backstroke and 200-meter individual medley. He also finished second in the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly, and third in the 100-meter freestyle. Other gold medalists were St. Thomas’ Max Wilson (boys 11-12 200-meter backstroke), and STSA’s girls 9-10 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter medley relay teams, both composed of Gabriela Brunt, Fairley Maltby, Alex Otwell and Lindsay Barr.