Government House Briefing Also Details Tribute to Officer Eustace Charles, Horse Racing Legislation and New Head Start Openings
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Government House on Monday provided updates on drought conditions across the U.S. Virgin Islands and ongoing water service interruptions on St. Croix, with officials urging residents to conserve water as the Territory continues to experience prolonged dry conditions.
Government House Communications Director Richard Motta hosted the weekly briefing from St. Croix and was joined by Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) Director Daryl Jaschen and Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) Communications Director Shanell Spencer, who updated the community on current drought conditions, weather activity and efforts to stabilize potable water service on St. Croix.
Jaschen reported that drought conditions continue across St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. The prolonged dry weather is affecting agriculture, water supplies and residents who depend on rooftop rainwater collection.
“This level of drought represents a serious threat to our agricultural community, our water systems, our natural environment, and our community at large due to rooftop collection,” Jaschen said.
Residents are being asked to conserve water wherever possible. Simple measures such as repairing household leaks, taking shorter showers, turning off faucets while brushing teeth or washing dishes, running washing machines only with full loads and limiting other nonessential water use can help preserve available supplies.
Jaschen also reported that VITEMA is monitoring a tropical wave and associated area of low pressure that has moved offshore of West Africa and is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are expected to be marginally conducive for development, and a tropical depression could form during the middle to latter part of the week.
VITEMA will continue monitoring the system and provide updates as conditions warrant.
WAPA Rebuilding Water Supply on St. Croix
WAPA continues working to stabilize potable water service on St. Croix following increased demand and a series of water main leaks and breaks.
Spencer said Seven Seas continues producing water for the system, but high demand and recent infrastructure problems have reduced available inventory, particularly in Frederiksted.
Although leaks have been repaired, WAPA needs time to rebuild its water inventory and restore adequate pressure throughout affected areas. Customers should see improvement as storage levels recover.
Spencer urged residents to use water carefully while the system stabilizes and to immediately report visible water leaks so crews can investigate and make necessary repairs.
With drought conditions continuing across the Territory, officials emphasized that conservation by households and businesses can help reduce demand on available water supplies.
Territory Continues to Honor Officer Eustace Charles
Motta also reminded the community of the Territory’s observances honoring the life and service of Officer Eustace Charles.
At the direction of Governor Albert Bryan Jr., flags across the U.S. Virgin Islands are flying at half-staff from Monday, August 24, through Thursday, August 27, as the Territory mourns Officer Charles and recognizes his service to the people of the Virgin Islands.
As part of the official observances, Officer Charles will lie in state at Government House on St. Croix on Wednesday, August 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members of the public will have an opportunity during that time to pay their respects and honor his life and service.
Funeral services for Officer Charles will take place on Thursday, August 27.
Flags will remain at half-staff through Thursday in his honor.
Horse Racing Proposal Before the 36th Legislature
Motta also addressed legislation before the 36th Legislature on Monday that could determine the path forward for horse racing in the Territory, particularly the long-awaited return of racing to St. Croix.
The Randall “Doc” James Racetrack has remained without racing for years. The legislation and proposed agreement under consideration provide a path to rebuild the St. Croix facility and establish a sustainable structure for promoting and operating horse racing at both Randall “Doc” James and the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas.
The proposal offers the Territory an opportunity to revive a sport deeply rooted in Virgin Islands history and culture while generating economic activity, supporting jobs and creating new opportunities for horse owners, trainers, jockeys, vendors and others connected to the industry.
The Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack demonstrates what renewed investment in the sport can produce on St. Thomas. The Administration is seeking a path that can bring that same opportunity back to St. Croix and provide greater stability for horse racing territorywide.
Two New Head Start Centers to Open Friday
Government House also announced another significant investment in Virgin Islands children and families, as the Bryan-Roach Administration prepares to open two newly modernized, state-of-the-art Head Start facilities on St. Croix on Friday, August 28.
The Anna’s Hope Head Start Center ribbon-cutting ceremony begins at 10 a.m., followed by the Estate Concordia Head Start Center ceremony at 1 p.m.
The openings come just weeks after the Bryan-Roach Administration opened the new Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School on St. Croix — the first newly constructed public school to open in the Virgin Islands in more than three decades.
“These investments are part of a larger commitment by the Bryan-Roach Administration to support Virgin Islands families and expand educational opportunity from early childhood through college and career training,” Motta said.
That commitment includes modernizing Head Start facilities, expanding Pre-K opportunities in the public schools, supporting tuition-free education for eligible Virgin Islanders at the University of the Virgin Islands and providing free career and technical education at the Career and Technical Education Center at the St. Croix Educational Complex and the Raphael O. Wheatley Skills Center on St. Thomas.
“Our goal has always been to give Virgin Islanders greater access to the education, training and skills they need to succeed and build a future here at home,” Motta said.
The public is invited to attend both Head Start ribbon-cutting ceremonies Friday. The events will also be livestreamed on the Government House Facebook page and broadcast on Government Access Channel 27 for One Communications cable subscribers.
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