At this time, all feeders have been restored, and there are no active rotational outages scheduled. Generation capacity has increased at the Randolph Harley Power Plant; however, the grid is still stabilizing. During peak demand hours as load demands later this afternoon, some customers may still experience intermittent outages.
Op-Ed: Wahree Seeds and Reviving the Ancient Game of the Ancestors
It all happened at Agrifest 2025 when a fairgoer came up to my exhibit and said, “Are you the Olasee?” I said, “Oh God, what did I have done now,” jokingly. To be honest, I never thought in my “wildest dream” that I would be in such high demand locally. Not just locally but people around the world contact me seeking information on various topics, whether cultural, historical, natural, or wanting me to work with them on a research project about the environment or some other aspect of Virgin Islands history.
This fairgoer, Joy Stanley, wanted to know where she could find Wahree seeds on St. Croix. I tried to get out of it by telling her that I am so busy that I don’t know when I would be able to assist her with getting the seeds. Finally, I say to her, call me at my office. The Gray knicker, as we call it locally (Caesalpinia bonduc), is an evergreen perennial creeping vine that grows along some of our coastal areas and beaches. Every part of the vine, including the backs of the leaves, is armed with sharp spines.
The yellow flowers develop into spiny seed pods and contain one or two seeds. The split pods hold the seeds, rather like a nest of eggs, until the pods disintegrate. These beach seeds were once used in a popular game known as Oware (Wahree) in the Virgin Islands. The Oware game arrived in the Danish West Indies over 200 years ago when people were kidnapped from Africa as enslaved Africans to the Americas. According to Zoraida Jacobs, a former colleague of mine in the School of Agriculture, Oware (Wahree) probably is the world’s oldest game dating over 6,000 years.
Our parents and great-grandparents remember the game as “Wahree.” In those days, holes were made in the ground and the game was played with small shells, stones, and nickel. Later, Oware boards were made from mahogany. About six round holes were made on each side of the board each about two inches deep, where seeds were placed. You started off playing with about 48 seeds. However, the number of seeds in the game varied. The game is played in a clockwise fashion. Four seeds are in each hole at the start of the game.
The Wahree game originated in Africa but is played in various forms in most counties in the world. It is considered by many experts to be one of the finest strategy games ever developed. There is no luck involved in Oware. The outcome depends solely on the skills of the players. According to Zoraida Jacobs, “Stone cuttings representing Oware boards have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, on the walls of pre-historic caves, and on rock ledges bordering caravan trails in the Middle East and Asia.”
The stakes of the game vary from country to country and from one age to another. African natives wagered anything from a bowl of rice or a cow, used as a bride price. Whereas wealthy merchants and ancient kings played for slaves as well as for precious metals and gems. Today, stones or beans are used in place of jewels, and as in the long ago, the winner takes all. By the 20th century, the Wahree game in the Virgin Islands slowly began to fall by the wayside like many other cultural traditions of the islands, including the Cariso (music) and the bamboula, which made somewhat of a comeback, an African dance.
Joy Stanley and others in the community are willing to teach the youngest the game of Wahree. In fact, Joy told me she makes the Wahree board. Believe me, she is very creative. She was so excited after I took her and her friend, Kestusm Tatum, a teacher from Eulalie Rivera Elementary School, out to collect the Wahree seeds. Joy said it best when she emailed me thanking me for the opportunity she and Kestusm had in collecting the seeds.
“Good Marnin Olasee! I can’t find words to tell you how privileged and exciting it was picking Wari seeds on Sunday. I felt like a kid in a candy park. I could imagine our parents or their parents, picking Wair seeds from the same place we picked them, and then taking them home to play the game. I don’t know why I’m so excited about this game. I remember playing it for hours and hours as a child, though. I would even play by myself. I thank you thank you thank you for this privilege! Ohhh, Tatum and I would love to go on the hike to other Wari seeds spots you spoke about. All dih bes, Joy Stanley.”
Oware is an Ashanti word meaning long distance and Wahree means “he marries.” According to our elders in the community, the game was played for two reasons: First, to create communication between parent and child, and second as a time of relaxation and sharing of wisdom and proverbs. The exchange of proverbs was a common practice for Africans while playing the Wahree game. One proverb goes like this: A person does not cut a walking stick and to be taller than them. Meaning, one does not bear a child and expect the child to rule them.
Another proverb is as follows: It does not take a person born on a hill, to be very tall. This meaning is that one can be born in a humble home and become an important person. The Wahree game has been played in other Caribbean islands. On the island of Antigua, for example, the game of Wahree is huge with competition. Today, our children don’t know the game. They knew of the seed by rubbing it against a hard surface and placing the hot seed on their skin for a burning sensation.
Who knows, Joy and Kestum are probably onto something big. They can revive the Wahree game by teaching our young people whereby it becomes a big sport in the Virgin Islands again, and beyond the shore of these islands. After all, Wahree is African and so are we.
— Olasee Davis is a bush professor who lectures and writes about the culture, history, ecology and environment of the Virgin Islands when he is not leading hiking tours of the wild places and spaces of St. Croix and beyond.
Eight Contestants Compete This Year for St. Thomas Carnival Petite Princess, Princess, and Jr. Miss
On Saturday, eight very young ladies have prepared to spectate, dazzle, and showcase their talents and personalities as they vie for St. Thomas Carnival royal titles of Petite Princess, Princess, and Jr. Miss at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
This is the sixth year that the Division of Festivals has held the competition and the contestants seem prepared to put their best foot forward. Audience members can expect to witness beautiful gowns, cultural costumes, and lots of energy from the contestants.
“After attending the show last year, I was deeply inspired by the energy, creativity, and confidence displayed on stage. I realized I no longer wanted to experience it from the audience — I wanted to be part of the magic and make my own mark on that stage,” said Petite Princess contestant number one, Skai A. Lewis. Lewis is a seven-year-old second grader attending the Calvary Christian Academy. Her parents are Monique Williams and Darryl Lewis, and she is being chaperoned by Elyssa Henderson.
When asked what she is most excited about for the competition, Lewis responded, “I’m most excited for the ‘American Doll Wear’ segment, especially with its cultural couture flair. It’s the perfect opportunity to blend my creativity with our culture and showcase a powerful representation of identity and style.”
Petite Princess contestant number two is six-year-old Suraia E. LaPlace Thomas. Her parents are Jeneva LaPlace and Jelani Thomas, and she is chaperoned by Desiree Wilkes. She attends Joseph Sibilly Elementary School, likes dancing, swimming, being a foodie, learning new things, and her favorite quote is, “I can do it, if I try.”
For the Princess Division, contestant number one is nine-year-old Kaysa R. Freeman. Her parents are Ronell Hansen and Kashif Freeman, and she is being chaperoned by Jikelle Michaels. She attends Ulla Muller Elementary school, likes twirling, gymnastics, dancing, and the quote, “The time is always right to do what is right by Martin Luther King Jr.”
Princess contestant number two is eight-year-old Emelia A. Brooks, who attends Joseph Sibilly Elementary School. Her parents are Yolande Joseph and Esau Brooks, and her chaperone is LaMonee Morris. Brooks likes dancing, swimming, and modeling and the quote, “You don’t have to be perfect you just have to be you.”
The division with the eldest contestants is the Jr. Miss Division. Contestant number one, Ayanna S. Gardner, is 15 years old and attends the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School. Her parent is Nyota Saunders Gardner and her chaperone is Charmaine Kean-Simeon. Gardner likes reading, crocheting, baking and playing volleyball, and the quote, “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.”
Three other contestants have also taken on the challenge of competing for the Jr. Miss title.
“The experience of competing and becoming the first petite princess of carnival in 2019 allowed me to challenge my fears, enhance my confidence, and learn about various aspects of my culture that were previously unknown to me,” said Jr. Miss contestant number two, Amaya S. Marks. “It’s been seven years since I last performed on stage, but as I commenced preparations four months ago, my skills were readily revived. My team has meticulously crafted an exquisite package, and although I’m eagerly anticipating all segments, I’d say talent and evening wear will be the crowning glory.”
Marks is a 13-year-old eighth grader at the Calvary Christian Academy. Her parents are Mashama Ferdinand and Alvin Alico Marks, and she is being chaperoned by Kadejah Percell. Her hobbies are playing volleyball, baking, and dance, and she likes the quote, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
Jr. Miss contestant number three, Alauna Petersen, said she was also inspired to compete. “Vying for the Jr. Miss title this year was driven by three main reasons. First, I knew I wanted to compete for a pageant title after watching our first Jr. Miss Queen, Jahniya Williams, be crowned in April 2023. Second, I was inspired to vie for the title because I believe our culture has been fading over the years, and by competing, I hope to help revive and celebrate it for younger generations to experience. Finally, I chose to vie for Jr. Miss Queen because I love to perform, and being on stage allows me to honor my grandfather’s legacy. He was the one who encouraged me to become the performer I am today.”
Petersen also added, “My favorite segment would be evening wear because it honors the important people in my life who have shaped me into the young lady I am today, encouraged me to compete in front of thousands, and shown me what it truly means to be loved.”
Lastly, Jr. Miss contestant number four, Jada-marie Leila Donovan, is 15 years old and attends Charlotte Amalie High School. Her parents are Ja’Nelle Forbes and Darryl Donovan, Sr. and her chaperone is JaNay Forbes. She likes dancing, painting, and the quote, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive – Maya Angelou.”
All contestants will be ready to perform and compete for their respective titles Saturday. The show at the Blake Center will begin at 5 p.m. For more information, go to the USVI Festivals website.
Rotating Outages Likely Friday Night as WAPA Restores Generating Units
Rotating power outages will likely continue Friday night in the St. Thomas-St. John district, depending on demand, as the V.I. Water and Power Authority brings generating units back online after a districtwide outage on Thursday, the utility announced.
The series of events began with a districtwide outage at approximately 9:45 a.m. on Thursday after a safety shutdown of the control system was triggered, resulting in the loss of propane supply to all active generating units, WAPA said in an update Friday afternoon announcing the rotation schedule.
“This safety mechanism was activated to protect the health and safety of WAPA personnel and contractors working at the Randolph Harley Power Plant. The system responded as designed to prevent potential injury or damage during ongoing operations,” WAPA said.
“Thanks to the swift response of our Operations and Maintenance contractor, Saintnals, the issue was resolved, and the control system was safely restored yesterday. Coordination with Saintnals at the propane terminal helped bring propane supply back online,” it added.
However, WAPA is currently experiencing a shortage in generating capacity due to several units undergoing mechanical repairs. As of Thursday afternoon, Unit 15 was operational alongside four of the seven Wartsila engines and the Donoe solar farm, according to WAPA.
“While we are working diligently to bring at least one additional generating unit back into service today, the current generation shortfall requires the continuation of rotating outages in order to maintain overall system stability,” it said. Customers may experience temporary service interruptions throughout the evening until sufficient generation is brought back online.
“We recognize the inconvenience this poses to our community and assure the public that full restoration remains our priority. WAPA appreciates the patience, support and understanding of our customers as our teams work around the clock to stabilize the system and restore service to all customers on the St. Thomas/St. John district,” WAPA said.
Following is the rotation schedule announced at 4 p.m. on Friday, which will only be activated if needed based on demand. Restoration may be delayed upwards of 15 minutes and the schedule is subject to change if demand increases or decreases. According to WAPA, not all feeders will be impacted as seen on schedule below:
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Portion of Feeder 10B
Feeder 7A
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Portion of Feeder 9C
Feeder 7E
8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Feeder 8A
Feeder 9E
10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
6B
14,556 Pounds of Trash Removed from VI Mangroves
Led by the University of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, a dedicated force of 208 community volunteers from across the U.S. Virgin Islands united for the 2025 Great Mangrove Cleanup events that occurred from February to April of this year. Together, these community volunteers removed an astounding 14,556 pounds of trash and stubborn hurricane debris from mangrove shorelines in Altona Lagoon, St. Croix; Coral Bay, St. John and Vessup Bay, St. Thomas, making a significant impact on the health of these vital coastal habitats.
The 2025 cleanups build on a legacy of success. From 2018 to present, the Great Mangrove Cleanups have removed over 23 tons (46,800 lbs.) of debris from our shorelines, the vast majority of which are plastics, including an overwhelming amount of single-use plastic beverage bottles – close to 13,000 and counting. More than 1,000 volunteers have made this work possible. With every year, the collective efforts grow, and so too does the hope for a cleaner, healthier environment.
“Participating in the Great Mangrove Cleanups puts into perspective how important this work is. Being with the community during these cleanups makes me believe all hope is truly not lost, and they believe it as well,” said Aaliya Warner Rawlins, an undergraduate student at the University of the Virgin Islands.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, most marine debris is plastic and originates from land-based sources. The encouraging news is that we all have the power to make a difference. By reducing our reliance on single-use items, reusing materials, and ensuring waste is properly disposed of, we can significantly curb the flow of plastic debris into our beautiful waters and protect these fragile ecosystems.
For more information about ongoing marine debris cleanup efforts in the territory, please reach out to the USVI Marine Debris Coordinator, Zola Roper, at zola.roper@dpnr.vi.gov.
Youth Orchestra Needs Donations for Miami Performance
“By faith we’ve traveled to perform in Miami and our 19 student members, ranging in age from 10 to 16, are having a tremendous time,” said Gloria Gumbs, President of Partners for Strings, Inc. “This was a dream that I and the president and CEO of Miami Music Project, Anna Klimala had four-years ago. Seeing it and experiencing it first-hand is like open heavens. Our Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra is performing with the Miami Music Project Leaders Orchestra at their annual unCLASSICAL concert today, Friday, April 11 at the Miami Beach Bandshell.”
The theme is Miami Vibes, but the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra is bringing Virgin Islands music culture to Miami on a professional world-class stage. Ms. Gumbs said, “We’re very honored to take the sound of “Quelbe”, the ‘official’ music of the United States Virgin Islands, to Miami. We’re featuring the medley, ‘Sly Mongoose/Queen Mary’, arranged by Teaching Artist, Kandis Gumbs. We’ll close out our section of the concert by combining our talents with Miami Music Project to perform the jazz classic, ‘Take Five’, also arranged by Kandis Gumbs. Partners for Strings Board of Director, James H. Gumbs, Jr. is adding his talents on the bass guitar to this selection. Ms. Klimala. who throughly enjoyed our arrangement commented, ‘This is a version of Take Five you can dance to’. Liber Cuervos, Director of Education and Programs for Miami Music Project, who is conducting the selection, said in the rehearsal, ‘It was perfect. We’re not going to change a thing.”
The Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra is run by Partners for Strings, Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization based in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Established in 2020, this FREE all-year-round after-school music program teaches ages 6 to 17 how to play orchestral instruments and read music. Strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and steel pan instruments are taught during weekly sessions at G-Clef Music Academy. Partners for Strings established an Alliance Partnership in 2021 with Miami Music Project, one of the largest socially transformative music initiatives in the United States. In preparation for the trip, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism provided gift bags for Partners for Strings to present to Miami Music Project at the concert tonight.
Ms. Gumbs, added, “We are asking for everyone’s support, becase there were a few areas that were not financially covered for our Miami Music Trip. We really need Virgin Islands support now to reach our goal. We practiced, traveled, rehearsed and we’re about to go on stage. Your help will mean that we don’t come back in debt. Please give now through our online donation app. We urgently need your support. Thanks in advance to all who are supporting us. God bless you.”
Give directly to Partners for Strings through this GIVELIFY APP LINK at https://giv.li/jrspwf For more information, call (340) 228-1126 or visit www.partnersforstrings.org. Partners for Strings really appreciates your kindness.
Winston Percel Dies
We are sad to announce the passing of Winston Percel, also known as “Captor,” who died on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Winston is preceded in death by his parents David and Hosepheta Percel. Aunts, Elsina Jennings Williams, Enorah Jennings Flemings, Patronella Hodge. Uncles, Ezekiel, Daniel, Cleburn, Gerald, William, Zedekiah and Thomas Jennings.
He is survived by his wife, Lotitia Donovan-Percel. Daughter; Sharon Percel-Howe, Sons; Shawn, Jermaine, and Jamal Percel. Son-in-law Elford Howe Sr., Brothers-in-Law, Ariel and Dariel Donovan, Sisters-in-Law, Carol Rivera, Gweneth Monell and Brendalie Boyde. Step Daughters; Latoya Dyer, Latanya Hopkins-Camacho, Step Son -in-Law Ricardo Camacho, Step Son, Glenroy Hopkins; Grandchildren Elisha Howe and Jlynn Percel; Five Step Grandchildren, and Two Great Grandchildren; Brothers; David Jr and Theophilus Percel, Sisters; Catherine, Jane, and Patricia Percel and Brenda Jacob. Aunt-in-Laws: Carleta and Sally Jennings.
Many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, too numerous to mention, to include, the Jennings, Flemings, Penn, Hodge, and Vincent families.
Special family and friends; Elroy “Fever” Flemings, Jackie and Jello Arnold, Gafford “Fuddy”, James and Richard ” Bosie” Penn, Merlene Smith, Allen “Tayhay” and Anne Foy, John Tuitt, Edwardo Matos, Annetta “Annie” Joseph, Leo Dyer, Austin Rouse, Bob Razor, Debull, Fatboy, “Chicken” Mingo, Kenneth ” Blacks” Donovan, Vince Bedminister, The Staff of Heavy Materials and the boys in Smithbay.
Relatives and friends are invited to the first viewing on April 10, 2025 at Turnbulls Funeral Home from 4 to 6pm. Church services are scheduled for April 11, 2025 at Wesley Methodist church with viewing beginning at 9am with Service to follow at 10. Interment Eastern Cemetery Smithbay. Tributes and/or pictures can be sent to Winstonpercel@yahoo.com no later than April 4, 2025. The family request shades of blue be worn.
Arrangements entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home & Crematory Services.
JFL Medical Staff Warn $22M Needed To Stabilize Hospital Operations
It’s going to take more than the $10 million per hospital cited by lawmakers to pull the territory out of its ongoing health care crisis, according to medical staff at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, who placed the immediate need Thursday at closer to $22 million for JFL alone, just to pay off vendors and have enough left to operate.
In a remote meeting Thursday afternoon, nearly two dozen JFL physicians met with Delegate Stacey Plaskett to lay out the gravity of the situation, including critical shortages in staffing, medications, and supplies. According to those present, some doctors have already submitted their resignations, citing unsustainable working conditions and the lack of timely intervention.
“We’re at a breaking point,” one physician said in a call with the Source before and after the meeting, describing the environment as “barely safe” after years of underfunding. “We’re losing physicians and we cannot hire because the last contract negotiation was in 2002. That’s why no one’s coming.”
The concerns echoed those raised in a letter sent last week to Senate Health and Hospitals Committee Chair Ray Fonseca, where physicians warned of deteriorating conditions and urged the Legislature to act quickly, saying the hospitals were “on the verge of collapse.” They described being forced to beg for supplies, operating without essential medication, and preparing contingency letters for nurses in case support failed to materialize.
The $22 million is needed to get the hospital out of credit hold with vendors and resume ordering vital medical supplies, doctors said. Physicians speaking to the Source also emphasized that the hospital’s baseline monthly needs must be reevaluated, with annual appropriations adjusted to reflect those numbers.
Doctors added that the crisis is also a reflection of long-standing federal funding structures that have left the territory’s hospitals at a disadvantage for decades. Until recently, the federal government covered just 55 percent of Medicaid costs in the Virgin Islands — far less than in many states, where funding is tied to poverty levels. That rate was eventually raised to 83 percent under the American Rescue Plan Act, but the federal contribution remains capped. Once that cap is reached, the territory has to cover the rest on its own, and physicians said the territory is once again hitting that ceiling — creating a growing gap in what hospitals can afford to provide and what they’re reimbursed for.
Another challenge lies in the outdated TEFRA reimbursement system, according to the staff. Named for the 1982 Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act, TEFRA was designed to control Medicare spending by setting fixed, facility-specific reimbursement rates based on historical cost data. In the Virgin Islands, those rates are still based on hospital costs from the early 1990s. Since then, the cost of delivering care has climbed dramatically, but the reimbursement rates have stayed largely the same.
Speaking to the Source Thursday, V.I. Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corporation’s territorial board chair Jerry Smith confirmed that the executive committee of the board will meet Sunday to review the concerns recently made by physicians to the Senate and finalize a plan outlining initiatives already underway and those set to launch in the coming weeks.
Smith acknowledged the urgency of the crisis but emphasized that both hospitals remain open and fully committed to meeting the community’s needs. “There is no need to panic – both hospitals continue to provide the care our community needs,” Smith said. He noted that in addition to short-term operational adjustments, the corporation is pursuing broader structural reforms aimed at long-term sustainability. One of those initiatives includes a Request for Proposals for a unified revenue cycle management system — a key step in streamlining financial operations. According to Smith, the evaluation committee is set to review the submissions and issue its recommendation ahead of a scheduled board meeting on April 23, where further strategic planning is expected to take place.
Meanwhile, the 36th Legislature will convene an emergency session at 10 a.m. Monday, April 14 on St. Thomas to address the financial crisis. Senate President Milton E. Potter said lawmakers will introduce a comprehensive bill that includes dedicated budget allocations for urgent hospital needs, strict spending restrictions to prevent misuse, and an accountability framework to ensure transparency. In a separate interview with the Source last week, Fonseca said that at least $10 million per hospital is needed as a starting point — though many believe far more is required to truly stabilize operations.
Physicians insist the clock is ticking. “The timeliness and the size of the rescue are everything,” one said. “A drop in the bucket won’t get us out of this.”
LBJ Homeowners, Hemmed in by Development and Industry, Weigh Government Buyouts
Homeowners in LBJ Gardens on St. Croix have just over two weeks to decide whether they want their properties appraised by the V.I. Housing Finance Authority as part of a proposal to buy them out of the homes where their families have lived for generations.
Luz Fulgence said her LBJ Gardens home has been in the family for more than six decades.
“I own it and I don’t owe nothing on it,” she said.
In that time, her son Alejandro Torres III said, the neighborhood and the area around it has changed dramatically. Torres said the V.I. Water and Power Authority’s Richmond Power Plant wreaked havoc on residents’ health and homes. Heavy Waste Management Authority trucks servicing the nearby pump station took a toll on the neighborhood’s two-lane boulevard. A marina sprang up on one side. Then, earlier this year and without warning, the government began demolishing the abandoned apartments next door.
The surprise demolition prompted several meetings between residents and VIHFA leadership about the future of the neighborhood and the people who live there — most recently on March 24.
Residents then received a letter on March 27 informing them that, “after carefully reviewing applicable regulations, VIHFA has identified opportunities that may lead to the buyout or acquisition of eligible property.” The letter stated that a buyout requires the community’s collective agreement and participation and acquisitions do not.
“In both cases, whether through buyout or acquisition, the properties will be subject to demolition to ensure the land is appropriately repurposed for green space or mitigation projects, thereby advancing environmental and community benefits,” according to the letter.
It’s not clear what regulatory mechanism VIHFA intends to use for the proposed buyouts.
“At this time, we are not sharing additional details regarding the applicable regulations referenced in the letter, as they remain under internal review and are subject to further evaluation and approval,” VIHFA spokesperson Nikya Kirnon said in a statement to the Source. “Our focus remains on clear communication with the residents and working toward a thoughtful and informed resolution. As such, we do not have any further comments at this time and will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.”
Homeowners have until April 28 to respond to VIHFA to say whether they want a government appraiser to evaluate their property. After decades of development on all sides, however, some residents are worried about getting a fair offer.
The once-vibrant neighborhood is a stone’s throw from the Richmond Power Plant. In between are vacant apartments and an abandoned building once occupied by the former Housing, Parks and Recreation Department. Dilapidated emergency apartments and an aging V.I. Waste Management Authority pump station — set to be replaced and moved to a site east of the power plant — separate the homes and the sea. A shipbuilding marina, which secured a Major Coastal Zone permit in 2019, abuts the neighborhood to the west.
The LBJ Gardens of today is a far cry from the neighborhood Spanesia Anderson grew up in.
“Now growing up as a youth, I watch a lot of my elders — them in here — deteriorate because of WAPA. We’re dealing with WAPA for years,” she told the Source this week. First it was black smoke billowing from the power plant. “That’s why nobody in here ain’t got no cistern right now.”
Then came the build out of propane storage tanks.
“Every single one of these house shift,” Anderson said. “Everything crack.”
Anderson questioned whether the government appraisers will take into account the damage to their properties, which they say the government caused and which residents had to repair themselves.
Conditions only worsened a few months ago when a contractor began demolishing the VIHFA-owned apartments next to the neighborhood, alarming residents and sparking fears of cistern contamination and other public health hazards from the unsecured site.
“No one notified us,” Torres recalled. “No one said nothing about it. We just heard noise, came outside, and they were knocking down the buildings.”
Torres said that continued for a few days until some residents got in touch with members of the 36th Legislature, who contacted VIHFA about pausing the demolition. Residents later met with leadership from the agency in February.
“The meeting was to let us know that the demolition was going to continue,” he said. “And we spoke up about it, and we said we don’t agree with it. It’s getting us sick.”
On Monday, VIHFA said the demolition will remain on hold until further notice.
“Fencing and signage have been installed by the contractor. Additionally, the contractor is implementing mitigation measures to have the debris watered regularly as outlined in his contract,” the agency said in a statement.
Lawmakers grilled VIHFA leadership about the demolition during a February Senate Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Committee hearing, during which the agency’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Disaster Recovery Officer, Dayna Clendinen, said their contractor jumped the gun.
“My question has always been: why haven’t these residents been given an opportunity to move first, before any consideration of demolition even started?” Sen. Hubert Frederick asked. “I know this guy got ahead — the contractor got ahead — but still, why were they still not moved? Did anyone ever consider that?”
Clendinen said that wasn’t considered.
“I’m not understanding how the contractor ‘got ahead’ of you, Ms. Clendinen,” Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. said later. “Are you saying that they actually started the project without authorization or permission?”
Clendinen said the contractor was given a notice to proceed in late January but that before starting any demolition work, they were supposed to install fencing and signage and to provide VIHFA with a work schedule. Instead, they began demolishing over the weekend.
“We had already had in position, to begin [on] Monday, information to the public, to say ‘hey, this will begin’ — a date, time, et cetera,” she said. “So that is what I mean when I said the contractor got ahead of our notification to … LBJ residents.”
Amid questioning by Sen. Marise James, Clendinen said VIHFA was reviewing its acquisition options.
“We just need to be creative … we can’t displace people and then not help them,” James said. “And the property is valuable — it’s priceless, to them.”
Senate Majority Leader Kurt Vialet noted that the Legislature reached out to VIHFA about this exact issue a year ago.
“And this letter is dated March 18, 2024,” he said. “So I’m a bit perplexed when I hear you answering, ‘well, we, we looking at this.’ You didn’t get this letter?”
Clendinen noted that she responded to the letter in question.
“But my direct question is: it was already asked a year ago. So why are we having a discussion now, in reference to relocation or possible funding source, when the question was asked before you even began the demolition as to, these are potential problems and they need to be addressed,” he said. “So you start the demolition, and then you get complaints from the residents, and then the demolition stop. So we now at a standstill, and now you’re revisiting exactly what was already requested from one year ago. How does that work?”
Industry Day Conference Held for St. Thomas School Reconstruction
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story stated that Civil & Building and Suffolk Construction were awarded a $3.5 billion reconstruction contract. Rather, the V.I. Education Department received $3.5 billion in disaster recovery funds to reconstruct the schools. The Source regrets the error.
Dozens of contractors filled an assembly hall at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas campus, to hear about plans to rebuild five public schools damaged by natural disaster. Organizers called the event Industry Day, sponsored by representatives of the company that was tapped to get the job done.
A top executive for Civil & Building North America said Thursday was the first time that 80-90 potential partners in construction were gathered for a face-to-face talk about the coming opportunities. Regional Vice President David Marmasse and consultant Alicia Barnes said those attending had already undergone a preliminary screening process to determine what and how well they could contribute to completion of the project.
Barnes, a former V.I. lawmaker, is also a former commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. “This is the first time everyone has been in the same room,” Barnes said.
Marmasse said plans to repair and upgrade building code requirements at E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary School, Lockhart K-8 School, Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School, Yvonne Milliner Bowsky Elementary School and the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School are currently in the design phase. Plans are also being drawn up to rebuild the Education Department Curriculum Center for St. Thomas-St. John in a new location in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
The Office of Disaster Recovery was instrumental in securing funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to modernize and fortify public facilities after two major hurricanes caused widespread damage in 2017.
The V.I. Education Department was awarded $3.5 billion in disaster recovery funding in 2025; as part of that, Civil & Building, along with Suffolk Construction, a U.S.-based company and building services firm, were awarded a reconstruction contract for the schools. Tom Thrasher, general manager for Suffolk’s East Coast Florida division, said they came on board to help with federal compliance requirements and logistics.
Marmasse said the most important message he wanted to share with local contractors was the need to manage expectations. “The (sic) government and ourselves are promoting a lot of early procurement … in order to optimize our time frame. We want to engage with securing pricing at an early stage in order to get material delivered as soon as possible,” he said.
If all goes as planned, Marmasse said the people of the Virgin Islands will start seeing signs of school reconstruction by early 2026.
A second reconstruction project to perform similar work for St. Croix public schools is reportedly in the bid solicitation stage.
