USVI To Open For Cruise Ships Nov. 11; St. Croix School Reopening Gets Tentative Oct. 23 Date; Generator Complaints Surge

ST. CROIX — Governor Kenneth Mapp shared during his Friday evening press briefing what he considered to be a lot of good news, ranging from additional linemen coming into the territory, his talks with congresspeople that went well relative to funding for the USVI, and a surge in cruise calls to the islands following the passage of hurricanes that ravaged multiple Caribbean destinations.

Mr. Mapp said the territory will open in earnest on November 11 for cruise ships, and there was excitement in his voice when he announced that St. Croix port calls had climbed from 40 to 90 this season. The number also surged in St. Thomas, which traditionally accounts for the lion’s share of cruise ships. But the governor said his administration would share more information next week, as the number of requests continue to grow.

Mr. Mapp said while the additional calls were encouraging, the territory would be careful in how many cruise ships it accepts this season, as the USVI is still in recovery mode and would not want to damage its product by inviting an overwhelming amount of tourists.

The Dept. of Education’s aim to reopen St. Croix schools on Oct. 16 fell through, with Mr. Mapp announcing an Oct. 23 tentative date. He said some schools will be merged following the destruction that at least two — Arthur Richards Junior High and Eulalie Rivera Elementary schools sustained. The governor will meet with D.O.E. Commissioner Sharon McCollum next week to further discuss school reopening plans.

On the administration’s efforts in Washington, Mr. Mapp praised Dept. of Finance Commissioner Valdamier Collens and the government’s lobbyists for working with Congress to help shape language in the $36.5 billion hurricane and wildfire package making its way through Congress. The House approved the measure 353-69, and it’s now awaiting consideration in the Senate. Language changed to benefit the USVI included removing the $5 million cap on community disaster loans for U.S. territories, and a change in formula that had restricted U.S. territories from receiving more than 25 percent of funding for damages caused by disasters, according to the governor.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will send its inspector general to the USVI to assess the local government’s readiness to receive the millions of dollars that will soon be flowing into the islands. Mr. Mapp said his government would look at its procurement processes and ensure that nothing stands in the way of the pending federal dollars to help rebuild the territory.

Below, find some other important details from the governor’s Friday press briefing:

1. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has declared the entire territory a disaster area, which clears the way for local farmers to receive assistance — from low-interest loans to funds for losses sustained during the storms.
2. Generator complaints have surged, according to Police Commissioner Delroy Richards. He urged residents to be considerate of their neighbors and follow the regulation times put in place by the government. Non-permitted generators (the loud ones), are to operate from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Persons with illnesses requiring some form of power to operate equipment used for their health, are allowed to operate their generators — non-permitted or permitted — through the night.
3. Mr. Richards has recommended a freeze on the current curfews.
4. The government has stopped distribution of MREs and water, and is working to close shelters.
5. Issuance of Disaster SNAP checks have been pushed back by two to three weeks, Mr. Mapp said. He cited the lack of power in the territory — which he said would cause purchased items to spoil because of the lack of refrigeration — as the main reason for the delay.
6. The Dept. of Agriculture has designated an area to house small pets for up to 30 days. Those interested in dropping off their small animals to the temporary shelter may call 911 and ask for Police Officer Danny Rodriquez, the V.I.P.D.’s animal specialist.
7. Paternity and Child Support offices are now open and checks are being issued.
8. Governor Mapp will spend most of Tuesday on St. John, where he will speak with residents and visit the island from end-to-end. “St. John, heads up, I’m coming,” the governor said.
9. While the deadline to apply for disaster assistance from the federal government is mid-November, the governor said he would request a 60-day extension, noting the difficulty residents have had connecting to the internet to receive information, and the lack of power to listen to radio stations.
10. There’s a FEMA program that provides funding to persons who have been affected by the storms and are being sheltered in the homes of family and friends. While the money will go to the affected individuals, the governor is urging the recipients to give a portion of the money to the owner of the home. “I don’t want domestic violence to surge,” he joked.
11. William Vogel, federal coordinating officer of FEMA Region II, said FEMA’s crisis management team has been working to relocate hurricane survivors who are still in shelters to temporary living spaces while their homes are being repaired. He said the biggest problem has been finding suitable spaces, as many of the hotels in the territory sustained damage from the storms.
12. As of Friday, a total of 537 blue roofs had been installed territory-wide.
13. The Dept. of Transportation has been working with FEMA to remove submerged vehicles from the territory’s waters. So far, 150 vessels have been removed, Mr. Vogel revealed.
14. FEMA currently has 450 persons in the territory working on recovery efforts.
15. Governor Mapp said HUD approved $2.47 million to relocate all 268 Tutu High Rise residents to livable spaces. Of the 268, 108 have already been relocated, and 27 have accepted vouchers and have moved into private rental properties. Mr. Mapp said his administration would continue to work with the remaining families until all are adequately housed.  The support extends for 3 years.
16. The Bill Clinton Foundation has had at least one team in the territory to assess damages and determine where the foundation could best provide assistance. Another team will arrive soon.
17. Following The Consortium’s editorial on Sprint, the company has been attempting to communicate with Government House to relay progress that it’s been making. The governor did not mention Sprint during his press briefing on Friday.