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No Christmas Bush cutting for 2015

- has the National Democratic Party left the country broke?
December 17th, 2015 | Tags:
A tradition, which was started by the now Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) whereby around certain times of each year, particularly during the August and Christmas seasons, young people from each district were given temporary work via purchase orders to help clear up their areas by cutting bush, will not happen for Christmas 2015. Photo: VINO/File
Controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (left), who attempted to control the bush cutting exercises through his Ministry, previously pleaded in 2014 with young men to desist from depending on petty contracts from Government. Last year December 2014, Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) said that 'while the bush cutting system that we have may be appealing for a short time, I am encouraging our young men to not just relax and depend on this….' Photo: VINO/File
Controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (left), who attempted to control the bush cutting exercises through his Ministry, previously pleaded in 2014 with young men to desist from depending on petty contracts from Government. Last year December 2014, Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) said that 'while the bush cutting system that we have may be appealing for a short time, I am encouraging our young men to not just relax and depend on this….' Photo: VINO/File
The bush cutting programme was controlled by each of the district representatives from both sides of the isle whereby they had to submit names from their districts to the Minister for Communications and Works or the Public Works Department (PWD) for persons to do the bush cutting. Efforts to get a comment from the Works Minister, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), were not successful. Photo: VINO/File
The bush cutting programme was controlled by each of the district representatives from both sides of the isle whereby they had to submit names from their districts to the Minister for Communications and Works or the Public Works Department (PWD) for persons to do the bush cutting. Efforts to get a comment from the Works Minister, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), were not successful. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A tradition, which was started by the now Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) whereby around certain times of each year, particularly during the August and Christmas seasons, young people from each district were given temporary work via purchase orders to help clear up their areas by cutting bush, will not happen for Christmas 2015.

While it is a short term system to put money in the hands of young people, in 2011 after the National Democratic Party (NDP) came to power they continued the tradition up until before the June 2015 general elections.

This Christmas, however, there will be no bush cutting as this was confirmed by Public Works Department officials. The main reason is “there is no money.” Already, many in the media, the Opposition, and civil society continue to ask, if the NDP left the country broke in their quest to win the 2015 elections.

Discouraging youth away from Bush Cutting?

Controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn, who attempted to control the bush cutting exercises through his Ministry, previously pleaded in 2014 with young men to desist from depending on petty contracts from Government.

According to many of the young people, about a year after the 2011 elections that saw the NDP taking control of the government they had to visit the Ministry of Education to collect their cheques after the bush cutting work.

It remains unclear if this practice was discontinued.

Last year December 2014, Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) said that “while the bush cutting system that we have may be appealing for a short time, I am encouraging our young men to not just relax and depend on this….”

Purpose of programme

The bush cutting exercises stated by the VIP was to help the young people out of school during the summers and Christmas, along with some older retired adults who had worked for the PWD in each of the nine districts, to have some spending money in their pockets to help them during those high activity seasons.

The programme was controlled by each of the district representatives from both sides of the isle whereby they had to submit names from their districts to the Minister for Communications and Works or the PWD for persons to do the bush cutting.

It appears that the ruling NDP was a critic of the programme and was finding ways to kill it, according to a young man sitting at Lindon Bar in Baughers Bay on the main island of Tortola. Another young man sitting on his scooter at the same bar said “see they used us and now we are hungry if elections were coming up they would have find money to give we a little eat but there is another election yall.”

Efforts to get a comment from the Works Minister, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4), were not successful.

46 Responses to “No Christmas Bush cutting for 2015”

  • pat (17/12/2015, 10:29) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    I was wondering about this!
  • bush cutting (17/12/2015, 10:53) Like (37) Dislike (6) Reply
    Bush cutting took place last Sunday in the Fahie Hill area. However the person only cut the bushes and they are all strewn over the place. I think they should cut then transport the bushes to the incinerator before they are paid. We should teach our young people half way job is not good enough.
    • dog (18/12/2015, 14:29) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      too bad they don't have a chipper which chews up the branches into mulch to put back down on the side of the roads to keep the weeds down. It also looks neater. This is a good basic programme which helps everyone. How expensive is it really compared to hiring DPW professionally. And if the youth needs oversight, then have the retirees watch. It keeps everyone busy and productive!
  • @ bush cutting (17/12/2015, 11:24) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lucky fahie hill but nothing in the 9 2 3 7 8 so bring it on...
  • BattleScars (17/12/2015, 11:30) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    If they are repeatedly told by this administration to stop depending on the bush cutting jobs as a means of income then why is this even a story??????
    • Online Now (17/12/2015, 13:03) Like (7) Dislike (13) Reply
      Exactly! the bush cutting has been a hinderence to the young people and menat they haven't had to strive because something would land on their plates if they sat and waited. Stop waiting for handouts and make something of your lives!
      • Stupessss (17/12/2015, 16:14) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
        SO I GUESS THE BUSH NEVER HAVE TO GET CUT THEN ?!?!?!? The place don't look good right now. SOMEBODY HAS TO DO IT. YOUNG or OLD! Don't get me wrong, I completely understand what you're saying; but let's be logical.
  • Rich (17/12/2015, 11:32) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    After two terms we are rich. To hell with them. Let them starv.
  • cay (17/12/2015, 11:38) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    No surprise here
  • ..... (17/12/2015, 11:50) Like (13) Dislike (13) Reply
    Sometimes "Tradition" has to change...
    • @ ... (17/12/2015, 17:19) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      You're correct. It is an unpopular comment you made but its only changed for the POOR
  • Jacko (17/12/2015, 12:01) Like (27) Dislike (6) Reply
    I to am disappointing in the way this Government have seemed to trick us. However there is another election coming. I hate when Politicians treat people like we stupid. I cant understand why they act like this and the hurtful part is that they not evening saying nothing, but leave them alone some of them going get what the DUCK GOT..
  • weed (17/12/2015, 12:32) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    young people ayo suck salf the election is over the NDP done use you all and they are now new creatures. Best wishes
  • voter (17/12/2015, 12:39) Like (60) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hahahahahaha hehehehhehe good for some of you all young people up and down behind funny man and got tricked again BOOOOO tek dat!
  • i from here (17/12/2015, 12:43) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    VIP candidates were saying if only bush cutting contracts our youths can get.

    Now that the bush cutting contracts are not giving out like before, it is now a problem!

    Jack I tell yo!
  • civil servant (17/12/2015, 12:49) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of course no bush cutting the country BROKE
  • WHY? (17/12/2015, 13:15) Like (6) Dislike (22) Reply
    Why you refer to him as controversial education minister? He is the best thing to happen to education on this island in decades.
  • Jac (17/12/2015, 13:31) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some bush cutting needs to take place, whether by public works or Solid Waste. If you drive on the North side of the island, you will notice that there are trees growing over the roads preventing the sun from getting to them thereby causing moss to grow. This could be very dangerous for motorists, as it makes the road slippery. This is especially evident on the way to Cane Garden Bay and Windy Hill. (There are also trees growng over the road by Pieces of Eight which also needs cutting. ). The roads need to get as much sun light as possible because some of them are already dangerous due to the steepness.
  • VIP Activist (17/12/2015, 13:35) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    You can find Millions of dollars to give civil servants to tek up but the poor young people you can't find $10.You give the Crabs Millions from our bank ,you borrow the Crabs hundreds of thousands from the treasury for a flop basketball tournament and it goes on and on.People might say I'm hating but it's the truth if the youths steal Politian talk,if they want to work they tell them it's no Money but the Governor let the Public see what's going on with our Misleaders.Governor Please save the Youths For Xmas..
  • No hand outs (17/12/2015, 13:49) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    They are doing the right thing. They have been implementing programs to get the youth off the free hand out system that VIP brought in. Teach a man to work and he can keep working and paying his bills, give them an overpriced payment for unnecessary work and he spends it all then gets idle!
  • The Dog (17/12/2015, 14:25) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who PUT THIS COUNTRY In This Crisis???
  • wow (17/12/2015, 16:16) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Regardless of who cut the bush, the bush has to get cut! What ? We going live in a jungle ?
  • Cane (17/12/2015, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not sure how long since you drove to Cane but cutting went on for several weeks. They came after and loaded the bush and carried it off. Road down looks good.
  • ann (17/12/2015, 17:07) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The best Govt money could buy has its priorities in line.
  • The Dog (17/12/2015, 17:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    MILLIONS AND Millions gone from the Port and can't find money for 2 dollar bush cutting .The Money Missing but the Jar ain't leaking, what a think Chaiso..
  • cgb (17/12/2015, 17:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bush cutting took place Cane Garden Bay coming down the steep hill as well. Saw a mixture of persons from within the district and outside the district cutting back the overhead. This morning they were picking up the branches and trunks.
    • @ cgb (17/12/2015, 22:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      You should find out why? Did it have anything to do with an accident?
  • long look man (17/12/2015, 17:18) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Jesus Christ ,What season it is? Them Crabs out them holes again they like old McDonald had a farm every where a Chic Chic and every where a Crab Crab he ha the treasury dead now.Poor bush cutters better lock next Xmas..
  • quito (17/12/2015, 17:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    WEA THE MONEY GONE, Millions and Millions more gone on Tropical or Crowley out the Port door ,poor bush cutters trailer loads of money gone .Don't worry Santa sent the Governor to save the last Trailer from leaving Halaluh Halauah the bush cutters safe now..
    • Yes (18/12/2015, 01:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Funny man need to give contracts to youth so he can keep being funny man. If you know what I mean
  • Ghost (17/12/2015, 17:45) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    All the money gone in the hairy bank
  • nurse (17/12/2015, 18:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    blame the NDP.
  • NDP youth (17/12/2015, 22:05) Like (6) Dislike (39) Reply
    We will have bush cutting about two years before elections just trust our timing voters
  • Youth From West (17/12/2015, 22:16) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    We never used to sit around and wait for bush cutting contracts, but it was always nice to get s little extra in your pocket for the Christmas. Too bad it won't happen now ...
  • The watchman (17/12/2015, 22:22) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    LOL. When I was small the guys cutting the bush were the guys out of the prison. It sure was not full then! Put thier prison uniform in pink and let them cut the bush like the prison in Arizona USA.
  • m v (17/12/2015, 22:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have other jobs for th painting the road side ha ha
  • Yes (17/12/2015, 23:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah they can spend one point five million on a park with just grass and chair y not spend some on bush cutting
  • AN (18/12/2015, 07:56) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    People take pride in your community and organize a cleanup and beautification day. Nothing wrong in coming together for the sake of preserving your environment. Just Saying.....
  • facts man (18/12/2015, 08:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    NDP is the government for the rich, whites and expat, that bush cutting thing is for the lil people remember the VIP the lil people government is out and dead ha ha
  • Big Rick (18/12/2015, 08:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    How come some people calling the program a handout. How is it a handout if they were getting paid to perform a service?!! Don't the bush need to be cut ?
  • @Big Rick (21/12/2015, 17:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    PWD is paid to cut the bush. It is their job. Paying these "boys" so they have a few dimes for Christmas is a handout,insulting,wasteful. Giving these boys a message that they should go look a real job on their own,is doing a service to their negritude,their attitude and their integrity.


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