Cabinet extends contract of CRC Chair Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome's until Dec 31, 2023
This is according to statements of the Cabinet Meeting of August 23, 2023, chaired by His Excellency, the Governor John J. Rankin, CMG in the Premier's Conference Room, Cutlass Tower where all Members were present.
The statements detailed that Cabinet “Approved the extension of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) from 8th July, 2023 to 31st December 2023; decided that Mrs. Lisa Penn Lettsome's contract as the CRC Chairman be extended for the same period;”
The Statement also disclosed that Cabinet has amended its previous decision regarding the payment of stipends to commission members so that they can be paid 70 percent of their stipends now, and 30 percent upon submission of the report based on the amounts that the Chairman has recommended.
Appointed to serve 1 year
Chair of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) Mrs Penn-Lettsome was initially appointed to service on a 1-year contract with a possible maximum 6-month extension.
Cabinet, during a Special Meeting on September 30, 2022, decided that Penn-Lettsome be appointed on contract to serve as the CRC Chair with effect from October 1, 2022, until July 7, 2023.
This is according to the Cabinet Post Meeting Statement published on October 13, 2022.
The Constitutional Review is to consider the aspirations and changes the people of the Virgin Islands wish to see in the next constitution.
11 Responses to “Cabinet extends contract of CRC Chair Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome's until Dec 31, 2023”
is dated and needs to be modernized. The Sambos value the colonialists wielding unilateral power and control over the territory than the actions taken by local government. The division, scattering of the people retards growth, socioeconomic development, freedom, liberty, etc. The BVI has a dependency-modellled constitution, ie, reserved powers, retained powers, assent powers, etc. Thete is a double standard in employing power and control in the UK and BVI. For example, in the UK, the crown has to assent to any/all bills passed by Parliament before they can become law. This was part of the agreement between Parliament and Crown as a result of the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Nevertheless, the last time the Crown didn’t assent to a bill was in 1708
under the rule of Queen Anne—Scottish Militia Bill. The BVI and other OTs are another tory. In the BVI, the Governor has to assent to a bill before it becomes law. The power is abused. The crown reps seem to let his personal wishes, desires, etc influence his decision, not
not giving a damn what the people’s representatives passed with a majority in the HOA. The CRC recommendations will carry little weight for the BVI will only get what the UK wants it to have. In the end, it
will end up with a useless, one-sided dependency model constitution., The constitution should include provisions for an imminent referendum on self-determination, ie, integration, free association, independence, etc; Premier chairing the Cabinet vice the unelected, UK.-appointed governor, who
should not even be in the cabinet; civil service falling under the local government ( this will drive the Sambos nuts), RVIPF falls under local control ( this too will drive Sambos beserk), Virgin Islands should have input on selecting governor, the BVI and other OTs should have direct representation in Parliament ( Of course they will have to pay their fair share of taxes and get fair and commensurate share of benefits), etc.