Speaking with this news site on the eve of today’s national election Candidate on the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) who is aspiring to becoming the next Fourth District Representative for the territory Ms JoAnn ‘Roxie’ Romney said the problems that lead persons to gun and other related crimes are embedded in the prevalence of unemployment and opportunities for youths to be otherwise engaged. Photo: VINO

Speaking with this news site on the eve of today’s national election, the candidate on the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) who is aspiring to becoming the next Fourth District Representative for the territory, Ms JoAnn ‘Roxie’ Romney said the problems that lead persons to gun and other related crimes are embedded in the prevalence of unemployment and opportunities for youth to be otherwise engaged.

No jobs + shortage of police presence = more crimes

“Overall, I think that we need a stronger police presence in the community in particular also with the local merchant establishments because we have been very challenged with that,” she said. She added that if there are more job opportunities the crime rate would be driven down.

Romney added that the need for a closer working relationship with the police force is another point of note.

“We need to have a closer alignment with the police force. They are going to need support from government to facilitate that but, beyond just that, we have to be able to speak to the residential areas as well,” said Ms Romney.

She also noted the less talked about issue of border protection is another aspect that needs to be dealt with to minimise the importation of illegal items, including guns. “That’s an age old problem. We have to have more border patrol to control the access to that (guns) coming into the country.”

She further noted, “But I would say to you a lot of the things that we see happening need to start from a younger generation in terms of working with them (youths). The younger generation that we see getting involved in crimes, there is a reason and we need to fix that.”

Bridging the gap - Rich vs Poor

There are a number of other things that Ms Romney has on her plate as issues and challenges to overcome or tackle once in government. She said that never before has the gap between the rich and poor been wider in this territory.

“Never before, in these Virgin Islands, has such power been wielded without accountability and concentrated so heavily in favour of the tiny minority at the top of the economic ladder with indifference to the many challenges of most of our people,” she said in her final address to the territory via a press release.

“Virgin Islanders have always been a multi-cultural blend of people with strong family ties and esteemed values of love, honour, respect and service for each other….[I] encourage you to be emboldened by this opportunity to unite and, with one voice and one purpose.”

Among the other issues, Romney mentioned, are to clean up the deplorable state of the Capital, address the garbage and sewerage issues, work with Team VIP to establish reliable water and power supply to every home in the 4th District, create user-friendly access to public facilities around the District for the physically handicapped, refurbish historical buildings and facilities like the Old Post Office, the Old Prison, House Of Assembly Chambers, Road Town Ferry Dock and Terminal, and the Softball Field and create tie-in between the Cruise Pier, Crafts Alive Village vendors to a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly cultural experience on Main Street.

Education

This is a subject matter which impacts every Resident of the District and the wider Virgin Islands. “A Virgin Islands Party Government will invest in quality education made available to all and refurbish crumbling schools.”
If elected, Ms Romney said a VIP Government will build a Junior High School with a view toward reducing over-crowding at the Elmore Stoutt High School.

“The today’s world of advanced science; mobile applications; digital robotics and 3D printing technology, our lives and lifestyles are changing dramatically. As such, essential scientific skills and knowledge is no longer optional for our children. They must be in tuned with such technologies or they will be ill-equipped to compete in the larger global marketplaces or even here at home in the Virgin Islands.”

Tourism

“I propose to enhance the traveler’s experience at the Road Town Ferry Dock and Terminal by upgrading the facility to accommodate the increased traffic of today and for at least another 15 – 20 years,” she stated emphatically. “I will get it done!”

She also noted that she will work to create a modern and high tech community and resource centre; fully accessible by all residents of the District, including the handicapped. “I propose to work with the 5th District representative to have the new Road Town Community Centre established in the same location in John’s Hole where the NDP Administration was planning to house the mentally challenged; right across from the Althea Scatliffe Primary School.”

“Ladies and gentlemen of the 4th District, the Virgin Islands Party has an economic and social vision to build these Virgin Islands from the grassroots up! The Virgin Islands Party is truly the Party for all our people and not just the top 1%. With the VIP 100% of the people win!”