Rejected, Again
Despite recognition in the OPEN Government Act and rulings by the FEC that “under US law blogs are formally recognized as media organizations“, Paul Golden rejected us as “media” and evicted us from his “Press Conference and Property Tour” this morning.
Yesterday, Golden sent out a “Media Alert” inviting select individuals and “all press” to meet at Ginnie’s store this morning at 10:00 am and ask “any and all questions that you might have”. The last line of the “alert” reads “This tour is for all media representatives and invited persons only.” But apparently its actually like one of those Bush PCs where he’ll answer all questions from a hand-picked audience.
We showed up and circulated a list of important questions that Golden has managed to avoid answering publicly thus far. The list included supporting documentation demonstrating the “factual” responses. But when we tried to hop on the safari bus for the tour, Paul Golden and his henchman, Roy Rogers, refused to let us join. They claimed it was for invited guests and media only. We responded that we write a blog and our readers have unanswered questions about this project. But they refused to let us go unless we were with the Avis, Daily News, or TV 2. Those media outlets did have representatives, and Roger Morgan was invited and included. Here’s to hoping someone asks some of those important questions.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Law are meaningless now. Article 4, Section 4 of the constitution clearly says that the Federal Government is supposed to protect each state from foreign invaders.
Go to the local NC DMV and you’ll see a sea of illegals in line from another country.
All of it (the law) is meaningless.
Keep up the good fight.
April 4th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Another Paul Golden classic! After refusing to allow us to join the press conference and tour, he told the few media members who were allowed that he couldn’t understand why some environmentalists oppose his project. He’s done everything to accommodate environmental issues, if they (we) had any questions “why don’t they just ask me”!
Then he told them the smell they complained about passing the pond was “cow manure” (Sounds like more BULL$^%# to me). I wonder if anyone noticed the wind was blowing strongly from the pond, not the pasture behind them.
April 6th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I have a home in St. Croix and I am truly amazed always by people like yourself who stand up and bark about the environment when what you truly are seeking is to keep the island the way you want it (for the few rich people).
This resort would immensely support the “real people” or native Virgin Islander’s who make a paltry income now.
I support Mr. Golden as I am sure do many other “locals”.
If you are truly open minded then print my email with the other righteous believers.
L. Singh
April 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
L. Singh,
Thank you for writing. We welcome all relevant comments, even opposing views, because we are open minded, unlike some. I am truly amazed by people who know what I am “truly seeking” without ever having met me.
My wife and I are not rich, nor do we seek to “keep the island the way we want it (for the few rich people)”. We do, however, seek to keep the island habitable, so all residents and visitors, and their children, and their children children will live happy healthy lives, and be able to continue to live here, or visit. We understand that development is necessary and inevitable. We support responsible sustainable development. We support the rebuilding of the Grape Tree Bay Resort. We support the planned expansion of the Palms at Pelican Cove. We support most of the planned resort for Williams and Punch, but we’d rather see the Convention Center go there, in place of the golf course and/or marina. We think a convention center on the west end would benefit Frederiksted and do far greater good for the island as a whole.
I find it offensive that you consider native Virgin Islanders the only “real people” here. I disagree that the golden project would “immensely support” native Virgin Islanders, or any residents, who currently make a paltry income. I think, if this project is allowed to go through, the majority of the jobs created would provide no less paltry an income than the current jobs available at Divi, the Buccaneer, and Carambola Beach Resort. But the devastation to the Great Pond ecosystem would be “immense”, and ultimately, would affect us all, poor, rich, native, non-native, and yet unborn.
I’m sure also that there are many “locals” that support Mr. Golden like you do. I think most of them are reacting to the superficial “spin” that Mr. Golden keeps spewing, exactly as he intended. I heard Mr. Roy Rogers, one of Mr. Golden’s most vocal “local” supporters, on the radio today, demonstrating just how ignorant he is of the ecological issues involved in development around Great Pond. As long as they keep chanting the “jobs and airlift” mantra, people will be distracted from the “real” issues.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
It is very clear by your response that you do want to keep St. Croix the way “you want it”. You support the William and Punch resort because of……….what?
Eventually your ulterior motives will be exposed and you and the small group of protesters that oppose anything that does not fit “your life style” will be exposed for what you are.
I cannot help but believe that you and your groups are being supported by someone somewhere for reasons other than the environment, or are really such an expert in tourism and the environment.
How does moving development to Frederiksted benefit “the island as whole” is it because the west end is not in your neighborhood?
And finally why now? Why Golden?
Has every other resort and development met with your approval? Why so vocal now and not before with projects in St. Thomas or St. John?
April 11th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Mr. or Ms. Singh, thanks for reading our blog!
It’s unfortunate that our community has once again become divided over a political issue.
Please tell us how you think Golden will help us? There are always jobs available at the Buccaneer, Chenay, Carambola, Divi, or an other resort here. Have you looked in the paper lately? Why will Mr. Golden’s resort be better than what we already have? Do you think he’ll pay more than any of the others? I don’t think so.
We have always opposed Golden for the same reasons.
1. It is an inappropriate spot for a resort.
2. He is a convicted felon and should never have received a casino license in the first place.
3. He will need to hire people from off-island (perhaps people from Haiti and the DR, because they will be happy to be paid minimum wage for housekeeping and maintenance jobs). And management positions will be filled by statesiders.
These are just a few of the reasons we have always opposed him.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Again. Your opinion and desire to have what you want St. Croix to be.
Again. You show no faith nor do you believe the people of the Virgin Islands to be intelligent (Gaming Control Board).
Again. You show your ignorance of the Caribbean people. You believe that Haitians and Dominicans are fit for menial jobs at minimum wage. You do continue to profile us people that do not fit into your standards.
Again. “Statesiders”. It is obvious that you were not born here in the Virgin Islands and you yourself were once a “Statesider”.
You try to make yourself appear to be a liberal with the needs of the people as your priority, when you are in fact a selfish self centered individual who would like for St. Croix to stay “Colonial” to satisfy your dream of an island paradise.
Please join us in the real world, where people need to eat and work and get their children to university. Where a developer can take his money to another island such as St. Kitts or Trinidad and be welcomed with open arms and support.
This will be my final post as your rebuttals are pure rubbish and the ramblings of a bitter man.
Thank you for your time.
L.S.
April 12th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Okay, I give up.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I want to rebut Lalliwajat’s comment on behalf of Terry as someone that has never commented on but always read this blog. I too am a blogger myself with a strong opinion. I support positive sustainable development, small business development, increased and positive education for our island.
Firstly, Terry’s comment of hiring offislanders is based on statistics not opinions of certain types of people. This is not how she feels it should be. I worked in the hotel industry in Orlando Florida and the statistics were similar there. I belive that Terry was not implying that this is the way it should be or stay. Perhaps a truly successful and sustainable resort could work towards improving the educational system and pursue tutoring and mentoring young Cruzans to work with/for another of their established resorts and bring them back with a fresh outlook on their careers. But, I’ve digressed.
As for your comment on Virgin Islanders not being intelligent. M. Singh the one generalizing all Cruzans based on the opinion and decision of a few Cruzans that did approve Mr. Golden’s gaming license.
I think it is sad that M. Singh has so much faith that Mr. Golden is going to bring the money to the people and yet accuses the writers of this blog of being colonists. I mean really, Mr. Golden is the true colonist bringing money to himself and not sharing or giving it to the people.
True economic development benefits everyone. Let’s work to teach every young Cruzan or non-Cruzan child that grows up here that they have a right to manage and make their own money. M. Singh, you don’t need the rich guy to help you survive and succeed and he certainly isnt going to bring you the money.
I’ve also seen development happen on impoversihed island nations and the devistating affects it leaves on the people, the island and the environment. Usually, there are a few island people that benefit from it, but most just watch it happen and ruin their island.
I am not against development. There are some great developers out there. The right developers consider the whole impact of the project. But, unfortunately the wrong developers are the ones that take advantage of the naivity of the people, wave the hundred dollar bills and then share only pennies. Mr. Golden is one of the latter.
I love St. Croix. No, I wasn’t born here, but this is my adopted home. I usually feel welcome here except by people like LM. Singh that seems to discrimate against average people based solely on where they come from. I hold a job. I volunteer. I live positive and keep a positive attitude. I am an asset to my community (which is part Cruzan/part not). Does it really matter that I wasn’t born here?
Good job on this blog… keep writing and keep telling it all. Good. Bad. Fair. Unfair. Its all REAL.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Hey, My Job….Thanks for reading and commenting.
There are apparently some people that don’t want to have a reasonable dialog. They just want to make accusations. Which is why I gave up on L.Singh.
We really want to hear all sides of all issues. But people need to listen to the questions we have, and he/she wasn’t doing that.
I’d like to read your blog. I’ll check around…
May 4th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
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