The controversial Grande Bay condo/timeshare development at Cruz Bay is front and center in a Sarasota, Fla. courtroom.
At the defendant's table is David S. Band, a real estate developer and law firm founder. He is accused of defrauding his partner by not properly overseeing the project.
Wanda Libby, wife of the partner making the charge said when she visited, "It was just a total mess."
Budgeted originally at $15 million, the Sarasota Circuit Court was told the ultimate cost is more likely $45 or $50 million, according to a report published by the town's Herald Tribune newspaper. The project is still unfinished, according to testimony.
A pavilion picnic area, costing nearly $500,000, is being built at Maho Bay beach. (Photos courtesy of Bob Schlesinger of TropicalFocus.com.)
The money for the work has been raised by fees visitors paid at Trunk Bay as well as those from boaters using the Park's moorings.
The project involves removing some of the old pavilion as well as constructing a new facility, adding a toilet, and a few additional parking spaces at the far end of the beach.
The Virgin Islands Port Authority is having a lousy year.
An audit report predicts a loss of $1.2 million this year for the agency which oversees the VI's airports and ferry services, the Virgin Islands Daily News reported.
The auditor suggested one way to raise cash would be to increase the airlines' landing fees 30 percent. The commissioners showed no interest in the landing fee proposal or the always-possible alternative of reducing jobs and payroll.
It would be reasonable to expect the airlines might well pass an additional cost onto customers. Or, worst case said Tourism commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty, the airlines might reduce the number of flights. In a possible sign that higher fuel costs and air fares are already having an impact, she said the passenger count for the year is already down five percent from last year.
The cash crunch for the Port Authority has a direct impact on St. John. The Commissioners put a halt to plans for maintenance on the Cruz Bay ferry dock. Proposed resurfacing and construction of the Lorendon Boynes Sr. dock was budgeted at $225,000. There was no word on when the work might be rescheduled.
Veteran island visitors and locals agree there are three places where you will get the best deals on liquor.
The first is right there at the airport in Charlotte Amalie. While some think its business really is duty-free purchases for folks to take home, a number of people make it their place to stock up for their week on St. John. The shop is a small one, inside the airport near the baggage belts.
In a post on Virgin-Islands-On-Line.com, Tuxedocat said, "We often buy there ... offers a very good selection of all kinds of liquors. The prices are about the same as elsewhere on the islands."
Also getting a thumbs up for liquor purchases on St. Thomas, is Cost U Less, a warehouse discount store. Huge selection, good prices. But only stop there if you've rented a car to come across to St. John. The taxis from the airport are not going to drop you off and wait while you do shopping.
Of course, Cost U Less is also a great place to do lots of other shopping for groceries before you ride the car barge across. Wine prices there are said to be 10-15% less than on St., John.
There's general agreement that Pine Peace Grocery has the least expensive St. John liquor. The store is located in Cruz Bay, at the foot of the newly-resurfaced Jacob's Ladder.
Juice and other mixers re about 15-30% higher than home, but not enough of a difference for you to lug it over," added Tuxedocat.
"Oct 2009...from Cruz Bay... a magical time for my family... there for daughter and her beloved to get married."
Kate Armstrong
"I took this in May 2004 from my balcony at Battery Hill while testing my new camera. It saddens me that I haven't been back since that trip. At the time, I had a one year old, now I've got three kids and as soon as they are all strong swimmers we are coming back so I can teach them about the island, the reefs, fish, and how fragile they are."
Mark from Oakton, Va.
"Took this sunset photo a few years ago (2008 May). View is from our Condominium at Gallows Point."
"I don't see em too often, but drove out to the east end a couple of years ago to watch one and this is what I got! Maybe I should wake up at 4am more often!"
Brian Holt
"Sunrise from this past October, taken from high above Hart Bay."
Two of the island's oldest businesses are making new efforts to sell by listing themselves on Craigslist.
Folks who have the dream of living full-time on St. John have a number of choices of how to do it. Owning a business is one of them. Understanding, of course, that running a business is a full-time job, which may leave less time for sunning on the beach than you might wish for.
While starting a business is always possible, buying an operation that's up and running and generating cash might be a better way to go - if you're willing to learn and work (there's that word again!).