ST. CROIX — The boardwalk in Christiansted was posthumously named after a sailor, craftsman, and avid promoter of outdoor sports in 2010, but the appropriate signage was never erected to inform the community and preserve the legacy of Eduardo “Nandy” Martinez-Rosario Sr.
Now, 14 years later, the original sponsor of the resolution honoring Martinez-Rosario is still trying to get signage posted that identifies The Eduardo “Nandy” Martinez-Rosario Sr. Boardwalk.
Former Senator Usie Richards proposed the resolution during the 28th Legislature of the Virgin Islands. It became law in 2010. Funding in the amount of $5,000 was appropriated in fiscal year 2011 to erect appropriate signs along the boardwalk.
Although a perma plaque ceremony in honor of Martinez-Rosario that was attended by members of his family took place at Government House in 2016, not one sign was ever erected on the boardwalk.
“I think the family will look forward to see a permanent signage and to be able to share, not only with their family members but with the community at large and visitors alike, the significant contributions of this gentleman to the development of the life and culture of the Virgin Islands,” Richards said.
Naomi Martinez-Goodwin, Martinez-Rosario’s daughter, who attended the ceremony for her father at Government House, said erecting the appropriate signage on the boardwalk would be an honor to the family. She said naming the boardwalk after her father was significant because he built landmarks in Christiansted, including the cross that sits atop the Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church, Club Comanche hotel, and the replica of the sugar mill on the boardwalk.
“We’re from Gallows Bay, so we grew up on the boardwalk,” she said.
As a child, Martinez-Goodwin recalled her father taking her and her brother to paint Fort Christiansvaern.
“Christiansted meant a lot for my father, so it was an honor for them to name the boardwalk after him,” she said.
After the resolution honoring Martinez-Goodwin was signed into law in 2010 by then-Governor John de Jongh Jr., Richards reached out to the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works to inquire about placing the signage on the boardwalk.
“I understood that they were working on it, and left myself with the clear impression that it would get done,” he said.
Richards continued contacting DPW about erecting the signage during the de Jongh administration, specifically reaching out to then-Commissioner Darryl Smalls.
“That took a period of time,” he said.
After former Governor Kenneth Mapp took office, Richards continued his effort by contacting the St. Croix administrator at the time, Stephanie Williams. He said Williams tried to get the signage erected during the Mapp administration. He said he most recently requested the assistance of St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes.
Sanes, a former senator who co-sponsored the resolution honoring Martinez-Rosario, said he supports the placement of signage officially naming the boardwalk after the honoree.
“We really have to honor these individuals that have given so much to our community,” he said.
Martinez-Rosario, who died on May 21, 2004 at the age of 75, was born in Culebra, Puerto Rico and brought as an infant to St. Croix, where he lived most of his life. He was an Army veteran drafted to fight in the Korean War, served as chair of St. Croix’s first fisherman’s co-operative, and opened a bar in his neighborhood of Gallows Bay known as The Last Shelter. The 28th Legislature posthumously honored him in recognition of his contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands in the preservation, perpetuation, and promotion of the Virgin Islands “way of life.”
Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel said all he needs is funding to erect the signage on the boardwalk. Since the initial appropriation was attached to the government’s fiscal year 2011 budget, he said a new appropriation would be required. He envisioned holding a small dedication ceremony too.
“I think the biggest thing is it all starts with the money,” he said.
An appropriation is required to erect the signage since the funding originally identified has expired.
“We just have to find the money,” Sanes said.
The lack of signage indicating the boardwalk was named after Martinez-Rosario led to a senator drafting a resolution to honor someone else by naming the boardwalk after the person.
Senator Samuel Carrión is preparing to introduce a resolution during a Committee on Rules and Judiciary meeting on December 12 honoring Salvador “Sal” Sanpere for his dedication and contribution to St. Croix. Carrión originally sought to honor Sanpere, who has been instrumental in organizing the St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade for the past 25 years, by naming the Christiansted boardwalk in his honor. He said an oversight within the legislative process led him to believe the boardwalk had not been named after anyone.
After learning the boardwalk is already named after Martinez-Rosario, the senator said he will now consider an alternative way to honor Sanpere.
“We’re back at the table and trying to identify what would be the best approach,” Carrión said.
Martinez-Goodwin said placing the proper signage on the boardwalk would prevent confusion in the future, stressing that the family appreciates having her father’s name attached to it.
“It was an honor for them to name the boardwalk after him,” she said. “I felt it was like giving him his flowers.”
