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$35,000 budgeted for D4 By-election – SFC Report

- PSDGO Carolyn E. Stoutt-Igwe says money is in the event By-elections is called
With the conundrum surrounding the District 4 (D4) seat of Representative-elect, Mr Mark H. Vanterpool and House of Assembly (HoA) Speaker Hon Julian Willock heading to the Court of Appeal for the final decision, the Deputy Governor’s Office has already budgeted for a By-election should the Appeal Court rule in favour of the HoA. Photo: VINO/File
According to a report on the deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) 2019, released on Friday, May 7, 2019, Permanent Secretary, 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-Elections for the seat. Photo: GIS/File
According to a report on the deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) 2019, released on Friday, May 7, 2019, Permanent Secretary, 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-Elections for the seat. Photo: GIS/File
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. Photo: Facebook
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. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - With the matter surrounding the District 4 (D4) seat of Representative-elect, Mr Mark H. Vanterpool and House of Assembly (HoA) Speaker Hon Julian Willock heading to the Court of Appeal for the final decision, the Deputy Governor’s Office has already budgeted for a By-election should the Appeal's Court rule in favour of the HoA.

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 ”

  • Yo (11/06/2019, 11:53) Like (31) Dislike (7) Reply
    Whatever dgo, therr will.be.no bi-electiom
  • ... (11/06/2019, 12:44) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    lets get it on!
  • waste (11/06/2019, 13:39) Like (48) Dislike (5) Reply
    What an awful waste of time and money.
    • @ waste (11/06/2019, 15:24) Like (19) Dislike (22) Reply
      yes it reminds me of the $7.2M, the 40M over run on ports and the $8M sewerage money
      • Enough Already! (11/06/2019, 15:51) Like (41) Dislike (5) Reply
        This is already wasted and needs to be recovered. But I sick and tired of you guys justifying more waste because there was waste already. Real stupid. Stop the stupid crap.
      • @@ waste (11/06/2019, 16:55) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
        7.2/40M/8M that is what the public knows about what about the millions gone to various the consultants......just an update less ye forget
        • VI Gyal (12/06/2019, 10:37) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply

          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.

  • legal team (11/06/2019, 21:25) Like (8) Dislike (20) Reply
    The BVI is a free and democratic society with a constitution.

    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
  • VI Gyal (12/06/2019, 10:38) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Speak for yourself and your money.


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