Stuart Smith, the newly-hired Principal Planner for St. John, told an island Rotary meeting that he won't be spending all his time focused on St. John. He'll also give some attention to the new ferry terminal and its operations as well as earth change permits around Red Hook. He'll also be, too, in the controversial Alpine Energy project development, if it gets government approval.
Smith said he's visited St. John several times and is now living full time on the island. He moved from Wilmington, N.C. His education has concentrated on real estate, urban analysis and community planning.
Clearly he'll be doing a lot of driving in his new job. He has an office at the St. Thomas Airport, where the Department of Natural resources has its headquarters, and a St. John office at the Marketplace.
Too bad. The St John community deserves a planner dedicated solely to St. John. Let’s hope our island gets the attention it deserves.