US Virgin Islands News

Will you take the "No Plastic" pledge?

Rotary Club of St. John has begun a campaign to encourage stores and consumers to change the way people shop.  There's an online petition for people to promise to "to remember to bring a reusable shopping bag" and for businesses to "encourage our customers to remember to 'Bring a Bag.'"

The need for the campaign, says Rotary, is made clear by "estimates that stores on St. John collectively distribute approximately 500,000 bags annually into the waste stream and environment of the islands."

A spokesman for Rotary said a recent news article localizes the problem, reporting that the death of a whale was blamed on plastic bags in the ocean.

Rotary hopes the campaign will gain enough momentum to persuade the Virgin Islands Legislature to enact territory-wide legislation to ban the use of disposable plastic bags.

One of the first signers of the online petition was Bonny Corbell, a local, who said, "I commit to this today! I will hand carry any groceries to my truck IF I forget my bags! Poor habits must be broken...and I will start with me....today."

Another resident, Margaret Majette wants to go further. She said, "Get rid of all plastic bags as well as Styrofoam takeout containers/cups." 

Deborah Ramsay proudly signed, adding "I have been using reusable bags for about 40 years!!"

Update: Among the first 75 petition signers, most are individuals.  Two businesses, Walter Hobot's Green Island Breeze and Katherine Steinborn's KatiLady Catering signed on, too.

• "Bring a Bag" campaign petition

Which St. John beach is the best?

For decades, Trunk Bay has been the most popular beach on the island. Primarily because it's got a big parking lot, the beach is huge, and cab drivers find it a convenient destination for day tripping and cruise ship visitors.

But despite its heavy use, Trunk Bay is the island's top beach according to the Blue Flag International Jury, an international eco-friendly group.

The Jury has accorded Trunk Bay its Blue Flag designation attesting to its good water quality, safety, and educational value.  Trunk Bay is one of four Virgin Island beaches to get the Flag, designations sought by the Hotel and Tourism Association.  The other three are Lindbergh Bay and Great Bay on St. Thomas and Pelican Cove on St. Croix.

"Beautiful waters and wonderful white sand has made picturesque Trunk Bay one of the most popular beaches on St. John," the Blue Flag award statement said. "Renowned for it's underwater snorkeling trail, Trunk Bay is definitely worth a visit. Six hundred and fifty (650) feet of underwater trails are a highlight for Trunk Bay's visitors."

The program, operated by Denmark's Foundation for Environmental Education, has become so prominent that some tourists search out Blue Flag shores. The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development of beaches and marinas through strict criteria dealing with Water Quality, Environmental Education and Information, Environmental Management, and Safety and Other Services.

Senator: Police can't explain missing $100K

If you ask, most people are likely to describe St. John as a quiet, peaceful Caribbean island. But to some residents and even vacationers, a growing number of bars and restaurants offering live music have become a problem.

And if you've had dinner at La Tapa or Fatty Crab and found it impossible to be heard by your partner because a a blaring SUV is crawling along the street, then you have a first-hand experience with the problem.

The St. John Chamber of Commerce has is concerned about the issue. "Business owners or musicians ... are directly impacted by the confusing ordinance and the erratic enforcement," the group said in a recent statement.

"Some asked if the laws applied to cars with massive sound systems and felt that should also be addressed, as they can be extremely disruptive when driving around and also parked," the Chamber added. "The Night Club license is a big issue and also needs to be looked at to protect both the businesses who desire to have them and the residents who are impacted by them."

Sen. Craig Barshinger agrees.  He wants to amend the law. The Senator says it is too subjective. "What is enjoyable noise to one person (That's a concept!) may be considered a noise disturbance by another."

Furthermore, he says passage of the law included $100,000 for the police department to acquire decibel meters so police could enforce the law.  However (to anyone's surprise?), "The VI PD cannot say where the meters are or where the money went," Barshinger said.

"There are some people who wish to party until dawn every night, and others who wish to have peace and quiet after 9 pm," he said.  "Some would like quiet for most of the year, but at Carnival time they want to enjoy the bands pumping out the music. No one is 'right' or 'wrong' on this subject. It is a matter of discussing it and arriving at a shared standard."

Barshinger will conduct a public hearing about noise Thursday evening at the new Legislature building in Cruz Bay.