$35,000 budgeted for D4 By-election – SFC Report
According to a report on the deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) 2019, released on Friday, May 7, 2019, Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office (PSDGO) Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe had informed that the office is already taking steps should the territory have to rush into a By-Election for the seat.
Preliminary Budget in place
The report notes, “The PSDGO informed that while they awaited a decision on a by-election, there was no provision in place if a by-election was needed but indicated of a preliminary budget [was] in place, and hoped before the budget process was over, that some moneys would be made available.”
On May 7, 2019, House Speaker Hon Willock, through the law firm Veritas Law, filed an appeal on the ruling handed down by Justice Ann-Marie Smith which ordered that Member-elect Mr Vanterpool be sworn into the House and indicated that his resignation was invalid as per the Virgin Islands (VI) constitution.
The law firm—representing the HoA and by extension the government of the VI—has indicated the appeal ought not to be viewed as a personal attack on Mr Vanterpool.
"The matter is of such judicial importance that this is an opportunity for the country to set a precedent in an area that has gone too long untouched,” Veritas Law stated.
Further, according to the Report, Opposition Leader, Marlon A. Penn (R8) had inquired about the amount which is in place for the preliminary budget should a by-election take place to which Ms Stoutt-Igwe informed that the preliminary budget was set at $35,000.00.
Luce D. Hodge-Smith Ready
Already, one District 4 candidate that ran under the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) 2019 election slate, Ms Luce D. Hodge-Smith, had indicated that she was still interested should a By-election be called.
“As you know, I am awaiting the decision whether we will have the By-election, and I still express an interest to compete should there be a By-election and even if there isn’t one, I am still interested in serving the district in whatever capacity I can,” Ms Hodge-Smith told the Government Information Service (GIS) in an April 2, 2019, Facebook live video stream at the HoA.
Ms Hodge-Smith, who lost to Mr Vanterpool by 57 votes, obtained 385 votes with Mr Vanterpool taking 442 to win the seat before tendering his resignation due to "personal reasons".
10 Responses to “$35,000 budgeted for D4 By-election – SFC Report ”
There was wasted consultant fees from VIP admin time prior and nobody is dwelling on that. Move the #$%@ on. Gee! We need to start picking up from where we were left and develop on that.
I wish to support the speaker of the HOA for taking the constitutional stance based on the law
Mark Vanterpool has a right to seek redress and the country must defend
We the tax-payers are willing to pay the small token to ensure that justice is served
We are also willing to pay half a million for a by-election