It's amazing how our government views changes and growth but doesn't have the expertise to handle them. Fredericksted, aka, Ghost Town, has never had any major parking problems until Stand Street was renovated. Question is for whom was it renovated? Obviously it was not renovated to benefit the local business owners, customers or residents. It was renovated to accomodate the most important customers of the government, fantom tourists from fantom cruise ships. It's a good thing to invest on infrastructure that is tourism orientated, but we can not allow the government to neglect the local residents needs to accomodate growth. We can not allow one way streets in Fredericksted, the roads are wide enough to accomodate two way traffic. I agree with Mr. Lawetz, bulldoze the street and repave it the way it was!! The parking lot across the Legislative building is big enough to accomodate hundreds of parking spaces, but the eco of safety and security is a major issue, the same issue the cruise ship industry used to cancel Fredericksted as a port of call. So, obviously the problem of safety and security is still a major problem. The Business owners, and all the residents of Fredericksted need to voice and demonstrate against any further renovations that will impede local growth. The so called, "growth" of Fredericksted needs to include a viable parking solution that will benefit the businesses, customers and residents of Fredericksted and not only the tourists, which by the way are not the majority driving our streets. Yes, there will have to be some giving and taking on both sides, but the residents and businesses can not be compromised to the point of bankrupcy. We can not allow Fredericksted's renovations to mirrow Christiansted's traffic and parking crisis. I commend the residents for speaking out. Please don't stop speaking out and demonstating in a positive manner, we have to force the government to do and hear the will of the people.
Angelita Harrigan
St. Croix
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.