‘Come to the people with solutions not just criticisms’- Julian Willock
He was at the time speaking on October 4, 2022, on the talk show Speak Out BVI on ZBVI 780 AM, hosted by Julio Sam Henry.
Mr Willock, who is also a former Permanent Secretary, noted that “it’s very easy to criticise, but we must also find solutions for the challenges.”
The man with solutions?
When asked by the host for some solutions, Mr Willock noted that the airport runway expansion is a must since it will contribute to the VI's tourism sector and the issues of raising revenue for the government must be at the forefront “as the government does not operate a bottomless pit of funds”.
He noted that that territory must look at small manufacturing and encourage corporations to bring their headquarters to the Virgin Islands.
Mr Willock noted also that the VI must strengthen its two current pillars: Tourism and Financial Services. He noted part of improving the tourism sector is more financial investment from the government and finding the right talent at all levels to run the Board.
We must fight- Willock
The passionate Virgin Islander stated that the financial services sector is a legitimate business and “we must fight to protect it”. The former Speaker noted that the “money laundering places such as London, Paris, New York and Delaware seem to be never on a black list but only countries from the Caribbean…this cannot be fair and just”.
Mr Willock also noted that it is becoming hard to do business in the VI as the bureaucracy of work permits, Immigration clearances and visas can kill small businesses.
The businessman said if the VI is to remain competitive it must find ways to move this process faster. “Bigger countries that process thousands of these applications daily have a much shorter turnaround,” the seasoned public officer noted.
The former Speaker of the House of Assembly stated that he was not criticising these departments, but “we must find ways to correct this, whether we need more human resources or we need to use technology”.
Is he running?
Mr Willock was the first Director of the Water and Sewerage Department where he was credited with turning around the Department and improving revenues. He also served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works.
Many persons in the public reportedly continue to encourage Mr Willock to run for office because of his stellar record of getting things done. When contacted for a comment on whether he is running, he declined to comment but promised an announcement will be made shortly.
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22 Responses to “‘Come to the people with solutions not just criticisms’- Julian Willock ”
If we all make more, local tax revenue & spending power increases proportionally.
What about a pathway to prosperity for the people? What about the new mothers? How does pouring more money into the top, improve their lives tomorrow?
What does it do for rapidly inflating rent prices, with no increase in living standards? What about the cost of groceries? Bills, bills, bills.
If you increase opportunity for the individual, all ships rise.
Including the ones at the pier.
You're looking at branches, not the root of the problem
Start from the bottom, so the whole team makes it there.
Moreover, the constitutionally-due election is nigh, so political aspirants should already be on the campaign trail, knocking on doors, wearing out some tennis shoes. It is about retail, retail, retail politics. A political campaign is an opportunity for political aspirants to be interviewed by the voters and if there is not time for quality interactions between politicians and voters, it does not favor the politicians. Get the campaign started and make the case. The next HOA will face some of most critical issues in the territory’s history. The VI voters have an obligation and responsibility to send the best qualified 13 standing for election to the HOA.
1. What gets done first?
2. Where will the come from?
3. Will the BVI have raise taxes?
4. Will the BVI have to borrow money?
5. What is the people role in solving these problems?
On vino people are more serious about comments and not filled with hate and lies about Willock.
Say what you want the next elections will not be a popularity contest that is why Mr. Willock will win. The people are sick of the shallow lies about people they want candidates who will make our life better, who can run the county, who can stand up and fight for residents of our great little nation.
Willock will win easy trust. He turned around water and sewerage, he turned around the ministry of communications and works and he did very well as Speaker. To me he will always be our Speaker!!!
The way I see it, we must first identify and acknowledge there is a problem. We also have to be willing to make sacrifices in order for us to improve. In order, for this to happen, we cannot look to those who created the problems to fix it. We must bear in mind that they saw nothing wrong with what they did and continue to carry on as though nothing is wrong. If they cannot acknowledge they are wrong it is very hard for the rest of us to convince them that they are wrong. By continuing to vote for them, we only prolonging the inevitable. Some current politicians and their cohorts who hold leadership position in many of government establish should participate i. The next election. They are the ones who created many of the problems and in my humble opinion they should tell a seat and let someone else take a shot at it. I for one don’t want to hear the problems but solutions also. We also need a time frame when these plans will implement and how. We need to know how they will be paid for. Do just come bad talking the current set when you don’t have a workable solution. We also need a back up plan in case one don’t work out.