Pizza Pi Petition

What has this thread got to do with one's personal taste in pizza?

Or avoiding answering what a local is? Maybe I can't sign the petition.

What has this thread got to do with one's personal taste in pizza?

Or avoiding answering what a local is? Maybe I can't sign the petition.

Well Ms411 is on a food rap and doesn't "see the need" for a pizza boat at Christmas Cove - and I'm sure she goes there ALL the time. My assumption is that DPNR's definition of "locals" as expressed to the Pizza Pi owners is bona fide USVI residents. But maybe Ms411 has an alternate definition if she can be brought back on track. 😀

Ha, ha! If their pizza has fennel, I'd be inclined to support them. Their social media pity plea doesn't whet my taste buds so I'm not inclined to sign and support yet.

None of my family/friends eat pizza so I only eat at places that sell slices. I don't judge/review based on a slice. If Pizza Pi uses fennel and has Italian sausage pizza that everyone would agree on, I would definitely sign for personal taste.

Hope to attend the hearing in Oct.

I'm amused and titillated to know that if their pizza has fennel you would support their cause but that otherwise you'll pass.

Rather off topic (but what the heck) I'm now looking forward to your opinions of senatorial candidates and dying to hear what conditions they'll have to meet to merit your seal of approval. Fennel deodorant, Italian sausage seasoning dabbed behind the ears?

1. They were permitted for Vessup and just moved over to Christmas Cove.
2. Christmas Cove is part of STEER.
3. There have been previous DPNR fights against various activities in STEER (jet ski rentals, Leyland Sneed party boat). Both of these "lost".

I hope they can find an appropriate spot outside of STEER.

I'm pretty sure they were in Christmas Cove first and recently moved to Vessup. It is my understanding that they want to move legally back to Christmas Cove.

Poor DPNR. They try to do their job and get maligned.

Now that I have more info, I have decided not to sign - fennel or not.:D The protected areas should be respected.

They should try Brewers.

What a load of BS.

Brewers Bay -- while a nice calm bay is well out of the boat traffic route - it would not be a good location business wise at all.

I don't think that there are any permitted DPNR moorings issued for there except for the UVI vessels.

It was a very welcome attraction at Christmas cove. I have had their pizza on two occasions coming back from long distance sails and that pie was priceless treat for exhausted crew.

I stop over often at Chrismas cove. Great place to unwind before pulling into marina. I have never noticed any disturbance created by Pizza Pie commercial activity in contract to some day charters that bring in 20-30 people, loud music and heavy drinking. I would feel really sorry if they move elsewhere.

Funny how DPNR says no commercial activity within S.T.E.E.R. but let's day charters go there. Silliness

Pizza Pi is awesome. Its expensive but our guest would shell out the "dough" for it over and over and some specifically asked to go there after seeing it on TA. I think it's a damn shame they're going to loose that spot. They do a great job and our tourists loved it! So the mooring belongs to someone? Cant they just Anchor? Its all sand there for sure - been to that cove about 300 times. I guess I don't know the S.T.E.E.R. boundaries and limitations to business within in. Is the floating boat in STJ still around? Im sure they're next. Seems like DPNR is really struggling for fines and funding. Unfortunately some STX drama with them recently west too.

Seems like DPNR is really struggling for fines and funding.

According to several blogs, DPNR is actually supporting them being in Christmas Cove but their hands are tied.

Sign the petition if you wish them to stay.

I think the moorings in Chrismass cove are 95% DPNR but are not well maintained. There maybe 2 or 3 commercial moorings IIRC.

STJ floating bar is still there in Coral Bay. Not my thing as a can mix drinks on the fly but baking pizza is a totally diffrent story.

I signed the petition.

The moorings at Christmas Cove were paid for and installed by a group of east end home owners who opposed the Leyland Sneed party boat being permanently moored there. During the hearings, the whole problem with mooring in sea grass beds came up and this group put their money on the line. Since then, Christmas Cove has been an excellent snorkeling destination. However, I believe (if memory serves) that DPNR was supposed to maintain the moorings, and we all know how good they are at that. IMHO, the reserve is not a good placement for a restaurant. I hope they find someplace outside of STEER.

Here is some info on the reserves: http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-news/2011/05/23/group-unveils-plan-protect-east-end-marine-reserves

They supposedly have a ban on "commercial activity" in S.T.E.E.R zone yet let day charters go there. Again, it is silly. I hope they get to go back there

Maybe in exchange for being allowed to be there and in lieu of payment, they could maintain moorings or collect fees for their maintenance.
Win, win.

I don't think it is any commercial activity, but it is activities which are in keeping with the management plan. Having small boats come in and snorkel vs. larger boats with trash, etc. My concern is: you let one restaurant in, how do you prevent a Willy T type restaurant? Bad precedent.

Seagrass :S

Maybe I thinking of a different cove? Where Pi is usually moored - thats all sand. Been there at least 100 times and never once saw seagrass that I can remember. Maybe I am mistaken. I have seen sea turtles there and lots of stingrays and eagle rays always. I wouldn't say is excellent snorkeling in the least but it's pretty water and a good place for beginners... because they cant kill/kick anything since there not much there. Some life on the rocks in the center I guess. I might be a bit of a snorkel snob at this point though lol. I am always shocked when I would get out of a horrible snorkel with no cool critter sightings and 20ft vis with customers and they say it was the best ever lol.

I don't think it is any commercial activity, but it is activities which are in keeping with the management plan. Having small boats come in and snorkel vs. larger boats with trash, etc. My concern is: you let one restaurant in, how do you prevent a Willy T type restaurant? Bad precedent.

I dunno, those drunk yahoos on those boats are worse than anyone I've seen.

It's hardly a restaurant or anything close to the the Willie T.

I, *gulp*, agree with Alana

No, it isn't like the Willie T, but that is exactly what the Leyland Sneed project was. As I said, it is bad precedent to allow a small restaurant. The next person will want something bigger.

A&A: There is sea grass out in the cove. That is why it is sea turtle and ray environment. If you snorkel around the north part, away from the main mooring field, you will find some great stuff. Also along the beach area, there is a shoal with ledges....

I'm sorry. I have been involved in too many fights for the east end.

The Christmas Cove moorings are badly or even totally, mismanaged by what ever group is responsible - vessels are living for free on them for months,or longer. Absolutely disregarding any 'rules' and DPNR has never issued a mooring permit there.
If DPNR did issue Pizza Pi a mooring permit it would not mean they would have to issue another one for any other floating restaurants, but I am not sure it is even in their purview to issue one in the Area of Particular Concern. I don't think Pizza Pi in any way resembles the infamous William Thornton and has no bar or seating aboard that I have ever seen.
Almost all of the daysail vessels that do use the Cove are very conscious of the environment and proactive during their 1-2 hr. stop there - Fish Cay is a fine snorkel site and the anchoring area around it has never supported sea grass and actually is not very good holding ground for much more than a day stop. There certainly are parts of the Cove that have grass beds but you would be hard pressed to ever see a professional day sailing Captain drop anchor in grass.
I favor the economic activity and boating friendly attraction that this young couple have invested in and think Christmas Cove is enhanced by their presence and hope they are successful in overcoming the hurdles they currently face. If not there is always the BVI who would probably welcome them if they apply to move there.

(tu)