“The Rum Cover-Over War” was one worth fighting.  A war starts generally because one territory is angry with another, and they want to punish the people they are angry with.  Well, the offending party in this war is Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico is angry that the giant liquor conglomerate, Diageo, did not renew an agreement with a rum distillery in their territory. It happens to be the distillery that produces Captain Morgan’s label representing significant jobs and BIG revenue to any territory that has the contract.

Because they didn’t renew their contract with Puerto Rico, Diageo contracted with the US Virgin Islands to build their new distillery on St. Croix with a 30 year lease and a rum production agreement.  The agreement has the USVI providing tax benefits for the contract and the USVI would begin to receive the Cover-Over funds that had been paid to Puerto Rico for so many years.  Puerto Rico didn’t like it that Diageo pulled out of their territory and are now setting up shop in the USVI.  So, that is why Senator LeMieus proposed the bill so he could appear to be a supporter of the many Puerto Ricans who live in Florida and are potential voters for his re-election.

Puerto Rico claims it is an inappropriate use of the cover-over money and excessively awards a foreign company.   The rum cover-over payment is currently based on the production of rum in a specific Territory.  Senator Lemieux’s proposal would have instead based the allocation on population. The population of Puerto Rico is 3.9 million, compared to almost 110,000 for the USVI territory.  Do you think he has Puerto Rico’s interest in mind?  Of course he did.   Gov. deJongh said the proposal ignored almost 100 years of federal precedent and counter to all Congressional intent,  and it would have severely harm the USVI economy in favor of Puerto Rico.

“The proposed amendment takes excise tax revenue paid by Virgin Islands rum makers on rum produced in the Virgin Islands and directly transfers it to Puerto Rico’s government coffers,” deJongh’s statement said. “Puerto Rico would end up with billions of dollars generated by rum production in the Virgin Islands. … Sen. LeMieux is directly attacked his fellow Americans in the Virgin Islands by doing Puerto Rico’s bidding.”  Gov. deJongh continued by stating, “By promoting this amendment,  Puerto Rico now seems willing to walk away from the long history of friendship and collaboration, which has linked America’s two Caribbean possessions.”

This phase of the “Rum Carry-Over War” has now ended.  Let’s hope that each of these Caribbean U.S. Territories can move on to addressing the needs of their citizens instead of wasting the Congress’s time by proposing bills that have business to even be addressed.  I look forward to any of your opinions and comments regarding this Rum War that just ended with the USVI – 1 and Puerto Rico – nil. Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle reporter continues his work!

For the past two years of sailing adventures in the BVI I have sailed by this development as we headed to Marina Cay for some painkillers and conch fritters, or to the anchorage right across the channel from Scrub Island.  We even took our dingy over to visit one day and wandered around the construction site.  The location is spectacular for many reasons;  A marina that has 55 deep-water slips, including five slips for yachts up to 150 feet, as well as provisioning supplies, diesel fuel, black water pump-out station, metered electricity, laundry facilities and more services;  The over-the-top spa and fitness center;  Caribbean sunsets – a must for me;  and…a few very private beaches.

Scrub Island Resort officially opened February 11^th,  with some GREAT rates between now and March 31^st – a $399 daily room rate.  This is about half of what it will be after the “soft” opening, so if you can make plans quickly you will be getting the deal of the year with these rates.  The rate also includes breakfast and nightly cocktail receptions.  The amenities and choices one has to discover the BVI are endless with Scrub Island Resort as your luxurious home base.  Here are a few to consider;

• Snorkeling and SCUBA diving adventures to destinations such as The Wreck Of The HMS Rhone,  Angel Fish Point on Norman Island, The Dogs, and many more.  And, a trip to The Baths on Virgin Gorda is a must for breathtaking snorkeling.
• How about marlin fishing to the BIG Drop with Scrub Island Marina as your shortest run to my favorite big game fishing spot.
• How about the shopping destinations in the BVI?  One of our top boutiques is a Peter Island Resort across the channel from Scrub Island.  The clothes are very high end with many of them now in my wife’s closet.  Another one would be at The Bitter End Resort on the island of Virgin Gorda.  It is worth an afternoon to just wander around.
• The Scrub Island Resort lagoon pool with the 15’ waterfall is where my wife would hang out most of the day.  It is another spot that will take your breath away from morning to sunset.  AND…they have a great pool bar and restaurant so you never have to leave your lounge chair.
• If you never leave Scrub Island the resort has created five different dining experiences to satisfy all of your gourmet desires – from candle light elegance to bare foot in the sand casual.
• For those who don’t want to fully disconnect from the world, the resort has wherever you are at the resort and all the beautifully appointed rooms have king-size beds, big plasma satellite TV, air-conditioning and non-stop views of the Caribbean.

For more information go to their website and check more of the details, or contact me TODAY.  I know you will be very excited about this brand new Caribbean experience awaiting your review.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty!

He inherited a monumental debt three years ago.  His first job was to reduce that debt.  However, the impact of the global economic meltdown stripped the Virgin Islands of any of their reserves.  They now have a monthly deficit of $25 million.  Can you imagine?  Gov. deJongh said, “To put this in perspective, $234 million is almost half of the cost of salaries and benefits of our government workers for a full year.” The Legislature has now passed an initiative to borrow up to $250 million, plus they are changing their financial priorities which are allowing them to free up funds for critical government projects.  Because of this all layoffs have been avoided.

One of Gov. deJongh’s key initiatives is education.  Turning their failed education system around takes hard work,  but after three years, the picture is a bit different, he said. “Today, all of our public high schools are accredited,” the governor said. “Today, we are compliant with federal regulations and spending all available federal funds. And this year, we have come close to tripling the number of schools that are meeting their AYP goals.” He is still very concerned about the high rate of school drop-outs within the Virgin Island’s schools.

You may have no idea what the energy issues are in the Caribbean.  The are enormous.  Gov. deJongh said to the audience,  “After years of false starts, the V.I. government is finally moving ahead with a solution to address the territory’s energy crisis–a proposal for two waste-to-energy plants to help manage the territory’s waste issues and cut WAPA’s dependence on oil.  But, don’t look upon this as our sole approach to the issue of alternative energy.” He also presented his ideas about creating a “clean energy industry” in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which includes the evolution of green jobs, capturing landfill gases for energy and cutting the government’s power bills. Cleaner air and water, and a green government were presented alongside plans to keep promoting local capital projects, taking advantage of federal stimulus funds, strengthening tax incentives for businesses and making the territory a hub for technology and emergency-response management within the Caribbean.

There was much more to his address that needs to be considered.  But, one of the key points Gov. deJongh made as he concluded his remarks was to urge the community to set anything aside that would stymie the territory’s progress, such as pettiness, partisanship, ill will and self-interest.
“Every act of pettiness, of meanness, of nay-saying and of disrespect diminishes not just the actor, but the audience,” the governor said. “We can and must rise above this. We cannot back into the future, but we must look forward boldly and with confidence. We must turn and face the future even as we carry with us the best of the past. We must not wallow in the past, in past wrongs or slights, or even past injustices. We must turn and face the future working every day to make it better.”

Gov. John deJongh is one of THE key leaders in the Caribbean!  He is transforming the Virgin Islands into the center piece of those who love the Caribbean as much as I do.  Until next time…fair winds!

Hospitals, schools, the capital building, stores and most buildings in the capital city and surrounding communities have collapsed.  There are no services available and the dead are being left where they lay. It is unimaginable to think of how the poorest nation in the Caribbean can deal with such devastation, or how any of us could manage through this catastrophe.  “We expect the damage to be significant and the loss of lives catastrophic,” said Christa von Hillebrandt, the head of Puerto Rico Seismic Network in Mayaguez.  She estimated that in Haiti, the earthquake lasted anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute.  Von Hillebrandt said that two major fault lines run through Haiti: one in the north, the other in the south. Therefore, she said it was no surprise that Haiti was hit with a destructive earthquake.

Officials from disaster relief organizations across the territory say that the best way to help Haiti in the aftermath of Tuesday’s massive earthquake is by sending monetary donations.  Our State Department has set up a method for each of us to do our part by texting the number “90999″ and put in the message the word “Haiti”. (As of 1-15-10, over $8 million US was raised just in two days from people donating $10 at a time!  WOW!) It will immediately send $10 to the Red Cross – 100% of it will get to the Red Cross.  Please take a moment and do this IMMEDIATELY!  You will then get a text back from the Red Cross thanking you for your contribution.  Please do this now.  The monetary donations will be used to purchase emergency relief items there thus injecting money into the local economy.  You can also go to DoubleTake Clothing and purchase a “Help Haiti” t-shirt and they will send $5 to the American Red Cross. ( Spread the word about these shirts.)

In a noontime press release, Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Senate President Louis P. Hill urged residents to coordinate their relief efforts.  “We are asking each and every Virgin Islander who wishes to offer their assistance with the recovery in Haiti to work with us and within the guidelines given us by the American Red Cross, the Haitian Embassy and F.E.M.A.,” deJongh and Hill said.  Within the next 24 hours, a disaster-management team will be on the ground and in place to focus the necessary resources in the primary relief areas, where food, water, temporary shelter and emotional support will be provided.

In addition, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, Red Cross, C.A.R.E. and Rotary International have all provided relief.  “Rotary is working on an efficient way for people to make donations, which we hope to unveil in the next 24 hours,” said Roger White, who is part of Rotary International’s District 7020 Haiti task force.  “We are looking to find out what the priority of needs is and looking at logistics,” said David Edgecombe, special assistant to the USVI governor for external affairs. “We want to avoid getting relief items and then have no way of getting them there without knowing the best routing. The needs are clearly great … it is going to take a little while for us to get the lines of communication open and accurate data as to how best to get goods to people in Haiti.”  “The Red Cross is specifically telling those who want to help to send money at this time,” Edgecombe said.

Click on each of the following links for additional ways to be of help to this world crisis;  Haiti Community Support; American Red Cross of the Virgin Islands;  Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands;  Rotary – St. Thomas;  C.A.R.E. ; Catholic Relief Services;   DoubleTake Clothing.  Please act now!

Diageo’s Captain Morgan Rum’s

For many years, a third party distiller in Puerto Rico has been producing Captain Morgan Rum and selling it to Seagram’s.  Diageo bought the Captain Morgan Rum label in 2001 inheriting this third party manufacturing agreement.  They have looking for years how to arrange a way for them to produce their own rum under the Captain Morgan Rum label.  With the manufacturing plant now being built for Diageo to produce the rum themselves, Puerto Rico will be losing millions of dollars that were coming to their territory from the rum excise tax.  Since they will not be getting any of these taxes, they are protesting to the Congress that the U.S. Virgin Islands should not get any of them either, because the USVI is going to use these taxes in order to finance the construction of the new distillery on St. Croix.

Here is a brief description of the rum excise tax program.  Rum produced in the U.S. territories and sold in the U.S. is taxed at $13.50 per proof gallon, and $10.50 per proof gallon is then returned to the territory where the rum is produced.  In 1986 the amount was extended to $13.25, but that extension must be reauthorized periodically and that reauthorization was due by the end of 2009.

Not only is Puerto Rico protesting to Congress they are lobbying to have Congress change the rules related to the remittance of the rum excise tax to be paid to the USVI.  Puerto Rico is not just mad about the loss of millions of dollars of the rum excise taxes,  they are FURIOUS! They have secured a member of Congress with Puerto Rican heritage, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) to co-sponsor HR 2122 to eliminate the rum excise tax.  He said, “It is preferable for the whole program to be dismantled than to have it used like this. If one is going to use the program to enrich companies, it doesn’t have to exist at all.”

Puerto Rico and Rep. Gutierrez are claiming the USVI have enticed (bribed) Diageo to sign the agreement to produce their own rum on St. Croix by financing the construction of the manufacturing facility using the rum excise tax.  And, when the cost of the plant has been recovered, the USVI will also share a portion of the rum excise tax with Diageo. Virgin Island Gov. John deJongh Jr. has stated to Congress that Puerto Rico’s case is completely wrong.  The USVI’s never entice an established Puerto Rican business to leave their island.

Since 2001 when Diageo purchased the Captain Morgan Rum label they have looking for alternatives to end the arrangement it had inherited with Puerto Rico.  Number One: Diageo has never has produced rum in Puerto Rico so how could they be lured away.  Number Two: Since 2001 Diageo has been searching for a site where it could produce its own rum.  Number Three: Diageo concluded very quickly it could not make a satisfactory arrangement with Puerto Rico.  Number Four: Diageo had investigated sites in Jamaica, Guyana and Guatemala before they ever entered discussions with the USVI Virgin Islands.

This is a BIG deal for the USVI and their financial future.  It will create about 120 new jobs, and generate almost $3 billion in rum excise taxes to the USVI over the 30 term of the agreement.  We believe this is a significant Win/Win for the USVI and Diageo, and it is anticipated there will be no change in the laws regarding the rum excise tax rules currently in place in Congress.  What are your thoughts about this drama between Puerto Rico and the USVI?  Until next time…fair winds!

Kwanzaa means “first fruits of the harvest” in the very traditional Africa and is now celebrated around the world.  There are seven days of celebrating family, community and equality.  Each December 26^th the Kwanzaa celebration begins and it ends on January 1^st.  Each day of the Kwanzaa celebration focuses on specific principle.

The seven principles are collectively referred to as the Nguzo Saba, and serve as guideposts for meditation and daily living.  The greeting each day of Kwaanza is Habari Gani, and the reply is Habari Gani followed by the principle of the day. Kwanzaa is celebrated by people of African descent in North America, the Caribbean and other part of the world connected to African heritage.  It was created by M. Ron Karenga in 1966.

• December 26^th – Umoja – Unity
• December 27^th – Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
• December 28^th – Ujima – Collective Work & Responsibility
• December 29^th – Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
• December 30^th – Nia – Purpose
• December 31 – Kuumba – Creativity
• January 1^st – Imani – Faith

Celebrations began all over the Caribbean today.  The traditional opening of Kwanzaa on St. John was in Cruz Bay near the ferry dock and the Beach Bar.  The Sigma Theta Omega Chapter again welcomed the community to the celebration which was made up of residents and tourists alike. The Love City Pan Dragons played the America National Anthem and Virgin Islands March. The 3 Sweet trio sang the Black National Anthem and South African Anthem.  There were other student performances, as well as the St. John Cultural Dancers.

No matter where you are in the Caribbean there will be celebrations this week.  There will be dinners each evening with family and friends who prepare Caribbean/African dishes to share with all who come.  Make sure you find a community of people with whom to celebrate this important traditional experience.  The principles are ones to integrate into all of our lives everyday, not just the last week of December.   Habari Gani!

For example, today a gay man in Barbados could still be sentenced to life in prison if he is found guilty of homosexual acts. In Jamaica, a man can be sentenced to ten years hard labor.  In Trinidad & Tobago a man found guilty of homosexual acts can be sentenced to twenty five years in prison.  However, there are still some Caribbean countries that don’t criminalize female-to-female sexual acts.   ALL of the Caribbean island nations except for the Bahamas and Cuba have criminalized homosexuality to in some manner.  There are just a few acts in this world that greatly anger me, and one of them is discrimination in any form.  Universal access to AIDS prevention, education and medical treatment need to happen NOW!

A  2009 UNAIDS report found that heterosexual sex is the main ways that HIV transmission is occurring in the Caribbean.  The latest available information shows that at least 240,000 people in the Caribbean are infected with HIV!  Because of the criminalization of homosexual acts, men are having sex with men, being infected by HIV, but then are having sex with women in order to claim they are not homosexuals therefore spreading the HIV virus into the general population.  It is an insane cycle that is creating such a high infection rate in the Caribbean.

Throughout the Caribbean there are laws that focus on providing individual rights, freedoms and protection from any form of discrimination.  But, these laws that are imbedded in the constitution of all Caribbean states are totally incompatible with the laws that criminalize homosexual behavior.  Most Caribbean states have ratified or signed the United Nations’ International Covenant On Civil and Political Rights which has been used to repeal laws against homosexuality.  But, still the laws against homosexual conduct prevail in the Caribbean.

A further result of these laws against basic human rights is allowing hate crimes to be legitimatized.  Follow the logic here, crimes against gays are generally ignored because of the laws that brand gays as criminals.  Make sense?  Of course not!  There needs to be laws in place that immediately protect gays from hate crimes, which would be a BIG step in ending discrimination – if these laws are actually enforced.  The real hurdle to any anti-discrimination laws are enforcement.  With the criminalization of homosexual acts as law, then gays still run the risk of becoming victimized within the legal system for their sexual behavior and actually then going to prison in the midst of defending themselves from a hate crime.  It is insane!

So, what can each of us do who care about these critical health and human rights issues that still need to be addressed?  We can send a message to each of our Caribbean lawmakers to take a stand against the laws which are currently in place that criminalize homosexuality that are contrary to all aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention and control and are totally incompatible with human rights issues.  Please do this TODAY!

What a blessing it is to get together with our loved ones;  feasting with them, toasting a glass or two, enjoying the blessings of life – and giving thanks.  Thanks for life all around us, underfoot, and overhead.

Thanks for the ability to remember those we love as well as to forget how much we’ve been hurt at times in our life; thanks for fine young bodies,  and old venerable minds;  for sun on our faces,  the wind on our sails,  the rain on the roof,  and the food on the table grown by people we don’t even know.

Thanks that the jets overhead that aren’t dropping their bombs,  that our healing hands have a place to practice,  that children are born every minute of the day,  and that death is there to gather us up at the end.

And thanks for at least one day a year when we all take the time to get some perspective.   AMEN - Patrick Finley

And, besides counting our blessings this week, did you know there was another Thanksgiving celebration last month on October 15th?   Many of you may not realize there are two Thanksgivings celebrated in the Virgin Islands – Hurricane Thanksgiving on October 15, and the traditional one celebrated this Thursday.

Every October since 1726, the residents of the US Virgin Islands offer thanks for their safekeeping during the potentially lethal hurricane season that officially lasts from July through the end of October. The day has historically been observed by offering thanks to God for his protection during the season. The event had been losing its significance through several years of relatively mild hurricanes until the tradition was revived by the devastating Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn in 1995. The day is a national holiday across the islands and is marked with prayer and often with a celebratory meal in the evening.

Thank goodness this hurricane season was milder than was expected.  So, there is another reason to raise our glasses in celebration this Thursday, for thirst is a dangerous thing.   I would enjoy having you let me know how your Thanksgiving celebration unfolds.  Until next time…fair winds!

The VICL Fall Boat Show is also a time when new Charter Yacht Vacation Brokers are able to get certified so they can actually open their businesses.  Flagship is the clearing house that is providing the New Broker Training this year, with Sue Maki as the facilitator of this critical two part mandatory seminar.  Sue also was the instructor for the new Brokers taking their certification course at the BVI Charter Yacht Show.  Another important event of the Boat Show is the annual VICL Board of Governors meeting.  All VICL members are invited to attend so they are able to get updated on the issues and actions that will be enacted this next year.

At the end of the day on Tuesday, Erik arranged for what he called “The Champagne Dock Walk”.  All along the docks of Yacht Haven Grande, there were various Champagne and food stations.  The chefs from each of the yachts supplied some of their favorite recipes to accompany Champagne so the Brokers could get an even better sense as to what their charter vacation guests will experience on the most unforgettable vacation of their lives.  The music was provided by the very popular Ros Abijah.

Wednesday evening, Gov. John deJongh, Jr. invited the Fall Boat Show attendees to the Governor’s Manson at Catherineberg. The estate was built in the early 1800s by a Danish merchant.  It eventually became the Danish embassy during the period of time the Dane’s owned the islands.  Around 1917 the U.S. bought the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark as a base of operations to protect the Panama Canal.  During the reception at the Governor’s Mansion one of the bartenders didn’t show up, so I was called into action.  I now have first hand experience as to how much the Crews and Brokers can consume at a party.  What a great time we all had.  In addition, Gov. deJongh, Jr. gave some brief remarks regarding his appreciation for the Crewed Charter Yacht industry that is such a critical part of the U.S. Virgin Islands economy.  A great time was had by all.

Thursday wrapped up the Fall Boat Show with the “Taste Of Two Islands: Land and Sea”.  It was a fund raiser for WTJX Channel 12 Public Television. It featured the finest culinary offerings from over thirty local restaurants and resorts on St. Thomas and St. John.  In addition, it was the evening where the Best Chef awards were to be given to the finest Charter Yacht Chefs in the Caribbean.  There were several categories of the competition, from appetizers, main courses, desserts and even cocktails.  There were over 800 people who packed the docks for this grand finale to the best VICL Fall Boat Show in my memory.  Congratulations to Erik, Sue, Josie, and the entire army of charter yacht crews and volunteers. Until next time…fair winds!