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‘Early elections call has left a bad taste in many mouths’- Elford W. Parsons
Mr Parsons, who was more intent on sharing some of his ideas to the public rather than taking up much time hammering the already embattled National Democratic Party (NDP) government, however, expressed his disappointment with the snap elections called and what he said was the ruling party’s seemingly ‘well-orchestrated plan’ to tie the hands of the Opposition District Representatives and then try to discredit them in election season so they could control all of the seats in the House of Assembly.
Mr Parsons said the abrupt and early dissolution of the House of Assembly has left a bad taste in many mouths, and while nothing is legally wrong with the way it was dissolved many have indicated that they feel cheated because the time given to get to know the team of persons who will lead them over the next four years and hopefully beyond is woefully inadequate.
“This being the case, I am glad for the opportunities I have had to have been able to meet with many of you in small groups and individually and very importantly, this gathering here tonight. Over the next couple of weeks I know that those of you who do not currently know me, will get an opportunity to do so well enough to give you the confidence to elect me to serve you for the next four years.”
The Second District candidate added, however, that the time has come for the territory to fix the date on which elections are held every 4 years. “This gives the ability to properly plan our lives around this extremely important national milestone. I am of the view that the suspense and drama associated with setting a date for elections, is really not necessary in this 21st Century. The electorate must be given the opportunity to hear what the candidates have in mind as they present themselves for leadership roles within the territory.”
The plan to discredit Hon J. Alvin Christopher
Mr Parsons said he was humbled and honoured to have been identified by Hon J. Alvin Christopher, who he described as a great man who has accomplished much not just for the Second District but for the Virgin Islands as a whole, to contest the seat for the next House of Assembly as a Second Electoral District Candidate.
“Like you…I hurt because we elected 13 persons to represent us in the House of Assembly and was promised that ‘no district would be left behind’. The question is therefore asked, based on that promise, how far have we gotten in the Second District? Sadly, my answer would have to be we have been the victims of a well-orchestrated plot to discredit and marginalise our representative and to ensure that he was unable to deliver nothing to the people of the Second District. Furthermore, other district representatives who were not members on the government side, reported similar problems.”
Vision for Second District
There were several persons that travelled from Jost Van Dyke to hear the plans of Mr Parsons, and among the plans revealed to them was the paving of the hillside roads above White Bay and Great Harbour, which he said would be done in collaboration with the utility companies so that the roads would not have to be dug up after paving. A separate dock for barges was also proposed
He also pledged his full support for any activity that results in maintaining the natural beauty of the island. “Please do not spoil it. I stand ready to provide support for the development of amenities such as nature trails and botanical gardens. While I am not discouraging development I am suggesting that development be carefully planned to maintain the natural beauty of the island.”
As for Cane Garden Bay, Mr Parsons said the sewage treatment system needs reviewing while several homes need to be connected to the system. “The issue of the outfall from the sewerage treatment plant also needs reviewing. The reality is my friends, if we are not careful this beach that we have loved all our lives and has become so vital to the tourism product of this territory can and will suffer irreparable damage if the sewerage outfall into the bay is not addressed. I am told that the corals are already starting to disappear.”
Turning to Brewer’s Bay, Mr Parsons proposed public restroom facilities and an adequate supply of potable water. He also said the restoration of the old sugar works on the bayside and the Mount Healthy windmill along with some of the other ruins would give visitors yet another good reason to visit Brewer’s Bay. “The potential to operate concessions at the restored sites provide yet another good opportunity to diversify our tourism product.”
The Second District candidate proposed developmental ideas for most of the communities in the district and to the communities along the hillside, such as Meyers, Soldiers Hill, Chalwell and Harrigan, Mr Parsons said there are opportunities for commercial activity along this corridor.
“Hundreds of visitors pass here daily on their way to or from the beaches, so small business can be started here. I encourage this and will support any young entrepreneur willing to make the transition from being an employee to that of an employer.”
Mitch’s ‘culture of disrespect’ switch
While Mr Parsons had little to say about his opposing National Democratic Party candidate Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull, the other members of the PEP, were not shy to let their thoughts fly on how they felt about him and his recent utterances about Hon Christopher.
President of PEP, Mr Natalio D Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru said Mr Turnbull was disrespectful in saying that Hon Christopher has done nothing for the district and suggesting that he was ‘dead weight’.
Mr Wheatley also said he went to school with Mr Turnbull and they are good friends but he never knew Mr Turnbull to be a disrespectful person and suggested that the young man has already been contaminated with the NDP’s ‘culture of disrespect’.
He said Mr Turnbull never even cared to thank Hon Christopher for his 20 years of service to the district and the territory and that Hon Christopher has a record that is incomparable.
Mr Wheatley also suggested that with Mr Turnbull insulting Hon Christopher he was also insulting the electorate in suggesting that they were “stupid” to be re-electing him over the years.
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32 Responses to “‘Early elections call has left a bad taste in many mouths’- Elford W. Parsons”
We Pushing Parsons!!
I am disappointed that Mr. Turnbull and Mz Smith would defect to NDP when their initital arguments were in another direction. Doesn't make the trustworthy to me.
Clearly, you are a religious bigot! Such shallow, narrow thinking is nothing but fundamentalism.
Truth of the matter is that religious bigots usually use bigotry for one of two reasons: Ignorance of the religious principles they claim to uphold or as a strategy to distract people from the real issue. Are you guilt of both? Don't even go saying that I am a Baptist. I am not and no supporter of Mr Turnbull.
People such as yourself need reminding that the constitution of the BVI is not The Methodist Constitution it is supposed to be built on democratic principles.
And, if you are such a devout Christian, your attitude is clearly contrary to Christian ideology. Please, although you would be surprised to know that you might be called a fundamentalist bigot, I must tell you, you are. In the words of Shakespeare "GO TO YOUR CLOSET AND PRAY" before you turn out to be a hard-core closeted bigot!!
If you really, really want to support Parsons, you need to clearly say what both candidates have to promise the people of District 2.
Mr Turnbull's candidacy should not depend on his being a Baptist, or Mr Parson's on being a Methodist or whatever religion.
Get with it.It is the 21st century, wake-up. Stop the BS!
Cane Garden Bay-News now reaching ZIN News is that PEP representative in the 2nd Electoral District Elford Parsons has won a seat in Third House of Assembly this evening winning NDP Mitch Turnbull by 54 votes and VIP Roger Smith by 67 votes. Parsons a newcomer to the area and will sit in the HoA. The votes count was as follows Elford W. Parsons 410 votes, Mitch Turnbull 374 votes, Roger Smith 353. Congratulations Hon. Elford Parsons.
The Votes are in
District 1
Andrew Fahie-VIP 592
Shaina Smith-NDP 282
Preston Stoutt-IND 221
District 2
Elford Parsons-PEP 410
Melvin Mitch Turnbull-NDP 374
Roger Smith-VIP 353
District 3
Hon. Julian Frazer-VIP 712
Kevin OJ Smith-NDP 457
District 4
Joan Roxy Romney-VIP 389
Mark Vanterpool-NDP 583
District 5
Deloris Christopher-NDP 490
Zoe Walcott-Mc Millan-VIP 607
Abdul Shabazz-IND 19
District 6
Elvis Juggie Harrigan-VIP 623
Alvera Maduro-Caines-NDP 312
Dion Jennings-IND 122
District 7
Kedrick Pickering-NDP 518
Olevine Pickering-Maynard VIP 509
District 8
Hon. Marlon Penn-NDP 653
Mc Lloyd Walters-VIP 342
District 9
Elton All Out Spravue-VIP 719
Dr. Hubert O'Neal-NDP 494
At Large
1. Dr. Karl Dawson-VIP 5, 923
2. Hon. Myron Walwyn-NDP 5, 618
3. Dr. Olando Smith-NDP 5, 118
4. Sharie de Castro-VIP 4,998
5. Irene Penn-O'Neal-VIP 4, 996
6. Charmain Rosan-Bunbury 4, 989
De
It is my guess that Ms. Romney will beat Mr Vanterpool in District 4, with Roxie getting at least 52% of the votes. I ask, what Mr Vanterpool has done for District 4 over the past 3 1/2 years. Ms Romney should know that, if elected, and fail to do right for her constituents, she will be held accountable.
For at Large Candidates, my guess is that the top 3 might be Smith, Dawson and Penn; fourth in line is a toss-up.
Don't count the Honourable Christopher out as yet. He is a long-distance runner, you should know! Another At Large candidate who should not be so easily dismissed is Honourable Christian, and he could be running neck-to-neck with any one of the top three I mentioned, for good reasons. Listen to what the man has to say as you should listen to all candidates.
A lot is going to depend on the candidates and the voters themselves. Some candidates just can't past getting personal with another party or some member or members in another party, and some so call devout followers of a party will not be voting on the issues but from emotion.
Let us wait and see. Both of us might get a rude awakening after the ballots are counted. But I want either one prediction to stand. I prefer the one I made, though.