On today's NewsFeed, Andrew Smith, Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, talks about the newly implemented Wartsila generators. Senator Samuel Carrion speaks about his horseracing bill's passage into law. Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett expresses frustration regarding the Caneel Bay Resort Retained Use Estate. And, the Virgin Islands Softball Team wins the One Caribbean Invitational in Nassau, Bahamas. Click "listen" for these stories and more.
TRANSCRIPT:
It's 5 p.m. Welcome to the WTJX News Feed. In today's top stories, we speak with the executive director of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority on the implementation of the Wartsila generators. Governor Albert Bryan expressed his hesitation to amending the law to establish separate horse racing commissions in the Territory. We got a response from Senator Samuel Carrion the bill's sponsor.
We get insight from delegates of Congress. Stacey Plaskett regarding the Caneel Bay Resort Retained use Estate. These are some of your headlines and more for today's WTJX News Feed from the Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System Studios on Saint Thomas. This is the W TJX News Feed with Marcellina Ventura-Douglas welcome to the WTJX News Feed, bringing you the latest news and updates throughout our community.
In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Philippe last week, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority faced challenges related to power outages in the Territory. From those outages, WAPA reported that they had successfully tested its new Phase two wartsila generators and phase one generators that were placed in service in 2018. The authority said that the lessons learned during this testing would help reduce the turnaround time for future restoration efforts.
In an interview with executive director Andrew Smith, we asked for more details on the implementation of the generators. These are very large machines. They originally were built to power cruise ships. So they're really big engines. In fact, they're two stories tall. And, you know, it's not like a generator that you buy at the Home Depot and you just plug it in and it works.
I mean, there's a chance a bunch of pieces and parts with them. And so once they're all installed, they're connected to fuel. They're connected to our system. But there are a series of tests that they go through to ensure that they're set up correctly, they're configured correctly, that they're getting the right fuel flows and all the things that go with that.
So, for example, one of the things that was tested, I guess about a week or so ago was when you have one engine on a certain amount of fuel flow, you know, power that engine as you turn two engines and three engines and four engines on, you had to adjust the fuel flow and ensure that each engine is getting the right amount of fuel early on in the commissioning, which started several weeks ago.
We turned them on and we ran them for like 5 hours. Then we turned them off and we tested a bunch of things to make sure that things were performing like they were. Then we did another run tested things. So it's just it's just a function of ensuring that everything's fine tuned and everything's working. And that's really the last the really final point to make is that a lot of that is being done to protect WAPA and ultimately our customers as well.
These engines have contractually obligated performances to me. If these engines do not meet those performance specifications, then the the provider or solar has obligations to to make us whole, which in turn protects our customer. Responding to our inquiries for the timeline of the full implementation, Director Smith responded, I expect that to be in the next 1 to 2 weeks for them on diesel, which is how they're fueled with diesel, which is how they were originally planned to be placed into service.
What will then follow very quickly is to convert them to where I should say convert them, supply propane to them, and then operate them on propane. We're going to be taking a fuel switchover outage here late starting late next week. There should be no disruption on generation and electricity, but we'll be operating some of our generation on diesel in order to do some of the work in the propane facility that we need to do to get these engines connected to propane.
Director Smith informed us that the cost of propane was significantly less than that of diesel, which was the reasoning for the fuel transfer at the Water and Power Authority responding. On if there would be any delays or issues. Director Smith said some of that propane for operation will be contingent on us getting the connection to propane done here.
I see no issues with that. That's not a terribly complicated process, but it's still got to go off without a hitch. So the ultimately, in the very near term, the next month or so, we should have these in full service on both fuels and fully capable for the territory. We asked the director about the dangers of the fuel transition.
I'd like to kind of take the mantra that when I come in in the morning, nobody gets hurt today. We do work in very hazardous conditions, some jobs more so than others. But certainly as to your point around diesel, around propane, all those are very hazardous environments working around generators, hazardous environment, high energy, high, you know, high potential energy.
There's a lot of training that goes into that. One of the things that our safety team has been really diligent about is that as we have these new generators coming into service, is ensuring that we have the right procedures and policies around how to operate around these generators in a safe manner. We have some other chemicals that we handle as it relates to these generators.
So there's been extensive training around how to safely work around those chemicals. So I would also say, though, that, you know, these machines in the propane supply system, all of that, they are also engineered with safety in mind. Right. For example, there's a complete fire suppression system not only in the propane system, but but in our generators. And that fire suppression system has automated detectors for gas and other things that trigger it will trigger the fire suppression in the event that there's there is a trap.
But ultimately it comes down to the diligence of our employees and just being aware of our surroundings, aware of the safety issues that can come with the environment. Mark, As we update the news feed. On Tuesday, we heard from the communications director for the Brian Roach administration, Sean Richard Motta, on whether the executive branch would be stepping in to address the ongoing issues with the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission after industry stakeholders gathered recently to express their growing frustrations.
In our interview, Mr. Moto said that the administration was working with the 35th legislature to come up with a solution. During a sit down interview with Ernest Gilbert of the Virgin Islands Consortium. Governor Albert Bryant provided more updates regarding the matter. Let's talk about the new taxicab commission. Yeah, it's broken, is dysfunctional. It's not working. And we're actually waiting on legislation to put it back into the DLCA.
We've been talking to a couple of senators on it. So anyway, so. So you're not going to appoint new board members because. Because I think, you know, we don't need a whole board and a commission for this. We just need a department under. I'm still I'm still in discussion with them about do we keep the commission? Do we have a commission as something that just decides things like tariffs and rules and regulation, but direct control of what goes on a day to day basis being operated under DLCA.
We don't have the resources to be to to always create another department. We don't have the people. We don't have the resources to do all these different things. And then there's other things that need to go on. There's a lot of there's a chauffeurs and these limo cars and stuff. There needs to be what I'm going to write him in Governor about, ride-in and sort of lyft the Ubers or you chair.
Yeah. Yeah. Right. Are you, are you in favor of that in the territory. I that's a trick question, you see. We listen, you know, let's see. Let see how sure he is on his governorship now, let's think. I think if I had supported legislation that was brought about by Javan James, because for four rights here, I think we're fooling ourselves like we always do, into believing that we could regulate the world out of the Virgin Islands.
It doesn't happen if there is a market for something. There are people who are going to create a service for that market. So you're in favor of that? Absolutely. I think that we consider ourselves money. And, you know, I love my taxi drivers, but they'll tell you we don't have enough taxi drivers and moving from the airport, moving from the hotels, doing tours, highly regulated.
But me and you, we want to go out on a Saturday night. We want to go to dinner or something. We want to go partying on the town. We should have a system where residents could move back and forth freely for a reasonable car. We'll be sure to update you to any developments regarding the matter. The office of the lieutenant governor recently updated that the passport acceptance facility on Saint Croix will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 14.
Service will be provided on a walk-in basis only. No appointments are necessary. The Extended Days event is in conjunction with the U.S. State Department, where passport acceptance facilities are hosting special passport fairs to help families apply for their passports at a time that may be more convenient to them. The Passport acceptance facility is located at the office of the lieutenant governor at 315 Prince Street, Frederiksted.
For more information, customers can call the Passport Acceptance Facility in the St. Croix district at 3407736449 ext 3419. Earlier this month, Governor Albert Bryan Jr signed into law bill number 35-0073 which amends title 32 of the Virgin Islands Code to establish district Horseracing commissions and regulations. The bill aims to provide a foundation for rebuilding the Territory's horseracing legacy and allow each district to address its unique needs and concerns by members residing in those specific jurisdictions.
Senator Carrion, the bill's sponsor, said the passage of the bill presents an opportunity to reinvigorate the once vibrant horse racing industry in the Virgin Islands. In his letter to Senate President Novelle E. Francis, the governor, noted that he approved the bill with hesitation. Even as recently as 2017, the legislature amended Title 32, Section 201 to create a single horse racing commission and unify the horse racing industry in the Virgin Islands.
The governor mentioned that less than six years later, the legislature is amending the same section to reestablish two separate horse racing commissions for the regulation of horse racing without allowing an opportunity for the unified system to have any races. Horse racing in the Territory has stalled since Hurricanes Irma and Maria damaged the tracks on both Saint Thomas and Saint Croix.
Responding to the comments from the governor, Senator Carrion said, So I see things differently. So they have been operating maybe not to the full extent because the horse racing tracks are not up, but they had some responsibilities based on what was established in the code and they've been having the meetings. Nevertheless, each horse racing association and each district felt that the operation or whatever the Commission was doing, they did not feel satisfied with the work that they were doing.
They felt disconnected to commission members on the St. Croix and the commission members from St. Croix was also a disadvantage because they were missing one of the members for a long time that was replaced and nobody was nominated. And then from the Saint Thomas side, they wanted to be able to have more meetings within their district and have a better access to their commissioners.
So, you know, I respect the governor and his position, but I defer from his perspective because clearly there were some issues. When you hear both horse associations from both district really supporting this measure and recognizing the deficiencies that were currently existence existing within the current structure that was established with the Territorial Commission. As we continue to update in a statement made in late September, the Virgin Islands National Park Acting Superintendent Penny Del Bene remarked on the Caneel Bay Resort Retained use Estate. She relayed that the National Park Service would comply with a federal court order issued September 28, which grants the United States motion to stay the trial concerning the September 30th, 2023 expiration of the
Camille Bay Resort retained use as state as the court moves to resolve the case. She continued that the Park Service would not take steps to manage or assume possession of the property until receiving further notice from the court. Caneel Bay is located on the northwest side of Saint John and began development by Lawrence Rockefeller in 1956. Rockefeller initially donated the land to the National Park Service for creation of the Virgin Islands National Park and Reserve.
The 150 acre Caneel Bay, a resort for the Rockefeller Family Land Trust, the Jackson Hole Preserve In 1983, Jackson Hole Preserve donated the 150 acres of land to the U.S. government for inclusion within the Virgin Islands National Park. The preserved land was transferred to the National Park Service with a 40 year Retained use Estate. The arrangement set aside the resort for independent operation and management until its expiration on September 30th, 2023, when the resort would be transferred to the National Park Service.
While talking with Lesley Comissiong, host of the TV show, Comes With the Territory Delegate to Congress, Stacey Plaskett spoke on the issues of the court case concerning Caneel Bay, the prior lessor of the property, and the individual who and his company who was running Camille Bay at the time of the storm are utilizing a mechanism, the retained use of the property, exchange of the property.
And they're saying that because they purchased the lease for a period of time, that retained use goes to them and not to the national park. And they're using it as a means to stop the national park from being able to put out to bid potential developers to redevelop the park right now. You know, I'm frustrated by this process.
I'm frustrated that a prime piece of real estate that can be used for the economic development, not just of Saint John, but for the Virgin Islands as a whole, could not move forward because of the intransigence of a prior owner to get what he wants out of the park and also frustrated with the National Park Service because this is something that's been going on for a very long time and they have not resolve the issues or negotiated, I feel, as aggressively as they should with the prior owner to try and have the lease broken, broken so that we can move on to put it out to bid again.
You know, we have people who have said they are interested in developing it. One of the concerns with all of the individuals who have come to say that they're developing is that the amount of money that they have to put in to completely rebuild that based upon the structure of the time that is allowed will not allow them to get there, You know, the profit back from what they're going to be putting in.
And we know that the prior owner also has insurance from this, of course. So it's just really a mess right now to watch and listen to the full conversation. Tune into Comes With the Territory on Sunday at 1 p.m. on WTJX-TV Channel 12 or catch the repeat at 7 p.m.. You can also stream it on www.wtjx.org, the WTJX app or on any smart TV by localizing the PBS video app to WTJX as we move down the news feed the United States Virgin Islands Softball Federation took part in the inaugural one Caribbean Invitational Women's Fastpitch Softball tournament held in Nassau, Bahamas, October 5th through the 8th
The USVI opened the event with a 10 to 0 win over the Bahamas, Mingles. Taylor White led the Virgin Islands offensive attack with two hits and two runs batted in the final day of the event. The USVI played the Bahamas Bomber Operators twice at the time of their first encounter. Both teams held unblemished 4 and 0 tournament records.
We spoke with the manager for the team, Mr. Lloyd Jackson, to tell us about the tournament. The tournament was actually a like a warm up for future and bigger tournament tournaments. Actually, for us to look at some new players. So the play together actually got a little comradery with the team because most of the team either reside somewhere in the United States and back home in the Virgin Islands and we don't get to practice and play together.
So they know to be ready. So that's that's our slogan.”Be ready” for when you get called out. So they are very focused on getting themselves. So you got to give kudos to that company that can be ready. In the end. The USVI Women's Softball defeated Bahamas Bomber Operators 9 to 0 to claim the one Caribbean Invitational Women's Fastpitch Softball Tournament Championship. On Sunday, October 15th
World Food Day will be observed from noon to 6 p.m. on the grounds of the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen Campus on Saint Croix. Matthias Clavier, Assistant Director of Communications Technology and Distance Online Learning for the University, has the details. UVI World Food Day seeks to educate the community in terms of hunger in our world, and malnutrition and how we can go ahead and combat it.
We also have educational activities. We have the workshops. We have four different workshops. We have one on the sour sop farm fruit. We also have a walk -a-ways workshop at the energy office has partnered with us to go ahead and do something because they're seeing this idea of water, food. There is that water is life. What is food?
So we want to highlight water and the importance of water. Then we'll also have some entertainment. We have DJ Swain who is going to be playing for us. We have also the Rising Stars Steel Orchestra that will be coming out. We have the St. Croix martial arts center. They will be performing. We also have the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbie who will be also doing something for us.
And then we have the St. Croix heritage dancers. And so we have a lot that will be going on. And on top of that, we also have what we call our youth activities. We have this Super Chef Competition. We also have the house of can competition, and then we have our sour sop Splash competition where individuals in the community can bring out their sour sop dishes and they can enter in the dish on that day.
While admission is free, attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable item for the food drive. The event will also have a food vendors, court, farmers market and petting zoo. The Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service will be hosting beach cleanups on the island of Saint Thomas and Saint Croix for their part in the Yearly Coast Weeks initiative. Coordinator for the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service, Howard Forbes Junior gave us the details.
So our international coastal cleanup efforts happen every year. They start the third Saturday in September and continue all the way to the end of October. So this is an international event and usually the third Saturday of September works well for our participating countries. But for us in the US Virgin Islands, that's usually peak hurricane season. So we're playing it by air, but we usually run beach cleanups for the six week period between Saint Thomas and, and we try to get some cleanups scheduled on Saint John.
We've had our kickoff cleanup up on September 16th, but for this weekend, we have a cleanup that the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service is hosting that will be at Lindbergh Bay Beach. I believe we're meeting by the restroom facilities. And then on St. Croix, I believe they're cleaning Dorche Beach. I know that cleanup is being hosted by DPNR but there are several cleanups happening along that stretch of beach.
So I would definitely check out our website. That's vimas.uvi.edu and you can get all the course information that you need as far as scheduling and locations for cleanups. As we make our way down the WTJX News Feed. It's time now for the Regional report. Yesterday, we reported that the Dominican Republic had partially reopened its border with Haiti on Wednesday.
In an update from the AP News. Haiti has declined to join the Dominican Republic in reopening a key commercial border crossing as of Thursday. This decline further exacerbates the diplomatic crisis surrounding the construction of a canal on Haitian soil. The Dominicans president, Luis Abinader, had previously closed all borders, including the crossing at Dajabon to protest the canal's construction, which he claims violates a 1929 treaty and could impact Dominican farmers.
Haiti, on the other hand, argues that the canal is urgently needed due to a drought. While the Dominican government partially reopened the borders allowing limited trade, they maintained a ban on Haitian entry for various purposes and on issuing visas to Haitian citizens. Haiti refuses to follow suit, demanding a public apology from the Dominican Republic. The border dispute took center stage Thursday at an Organization of American States meeting in Washington, where sharp exchanges occurred between representatives of the two nations.
The canal aims to divert water from the Massacre River running along the shared border. The recent reopening of border crossings has been limited with restrictions on certain trade items. The situation remains complex, with ongoing discussions and tensions over the canal's constructions and its implications for both nations. We're turning now to the Territory's weather forecasts. Here's a look at your short term forecast for the Virgin Islands this afternoon and overnight into Saturday.
I'm meteorologist Eric Weglarz The heat advisory continues for Saint Croix. We'll find increasing clouds with scattered showers this afternoon there. Temperatures will climb into the upper eighties and lower ninety's heat indices as high as 105 towards sunset across Saint Thomas and saint John we'll find more clouds with scattered showers as well. Towards sunset highs will climb into the upper eighties to near 90 heat indices as high as 103.
Any scattered showers tonight will give way to partly cloudy skies, mainly after midnight. Lows fall back into the upper seventies to near 80 at saint croix, the middle and upper seventies across both saint Thomas and saint john. The plan for Saturday calls for a mainly bright day across Saint Croix, with temperatures reaching the lower to middle nineties. Heat indices will reach between 102 and 105, so the heat advisory will likely be reissued for that period during the day on Saturday for both Saint Thomas and Saint John.
It's a mostly sunny day as well. Temperatures will reach the upper eighties to near 90. There is the chance for scattered showers in the afternoon as well. Heat indices there will reach between 100 and 103 before a mostly cloudy nights overnight into Sunday with temperatures in the upper seventies to the lower eighties. That's the latest look at the forecast.
I'm meteorologist Eric Weglarz. We are at the end of today's WTJX News Feed. I'm Marcellina Ventura-Douglas. Join me every weekday at 5 p.m. Be sure to download the WTJX app. And if you missed a part of our news, listen to it on demand wherever you get your podcasts.
