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‘Have a heart’- local boaters to Hon Walwyn

- upset that Hon Walwyn is proposing a higher cruise permit fee for the off season
Local boaters have accused Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) of being heartless for proposing higher cruise permit fees all year round. Photo: VINO/File
Legislators are proposing that local boaters pay an out of season fee of $2.25 as opposed to the current 75 cents; however, the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) wants the fee increased to $6 per person all year round. Photo: VINO/File
Legislators are proposing that local boaters pay an out of season fee of $2.25 as opposed to the current 75 cents; however, the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) wants the fee increased to $6 per person all year round. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - When the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V Walwyn (AL), during the debate of the Cruising Permit (Amendment) Act, 2017 at the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly on Monday May 29, 2017, said persons who own local boats should no longer enjoy special seasonal rates for cruising permits, it did not sit well with a number of local boat owners.

"I don't believe I am reading right. All the while it is being preached by everyone in the House that they need to do more for locals in the various industry and the little bit they doing for us that man who I voted for wants put more pressure on us locals,” said a distraught local boat owner.

Another said, "Have a heart rich man Walwyn... This is we home, we from here you all like say. We got some Caribbean people also living here that own boats here, they are us, we are one Caribbean. We have to start looking out for our own. Look how the world shifting every place now fighting for their own but you Myron looking to kill us, nah go sit down with that and leave us with the little privilege we got."

Myron want ‘buss’ we belly!

Speaking on the issues recently, the Education and Culture Minister, who has said in the past that the Virgin Islands can no longer create laws to protect locals, said government should not be afraid to charge for its assets, referring to the fact that persons in the territory who own and operate charter boats pay much less during the off season period, which runs for four months, May to August each year.

"By Christ it’s just four months and business is usually deader than dead itself, trust me, we lose big time during that off season and it's the time employed we have to prepare our children for back to school, we have to cater for those who come back home because they studying overseas and nothing cheap these days, prices climbing every second, now this man Myron want buss we belly," added the boater.

Legislators are proposing that local boaters pay an out of season fee of $2.25 as opposed to the current 75 cents.

But Hon Walwyn wants the fee increased to $6 per person all year round.

"It should just be one seasonal rate and the six dollars per person per day is a reasonable rate throughout," said the Minister as he added, "The very same issues we have to address we have to address them all year round so why should we be afraid to charge for what we have? We should not be afraid of doing that."

45 Responses to “‘Have a heart’- local boaters to Hon Walwyn”

  • Thank god for the 2011 elections (31/05/2017, 12:01) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    He rich now so the rest of us must pay
    • As the saying goes- (31/05/2017, 15:01) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      who don't hear will feel.
      • ha (31/05/2017, 16:23) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
        Why not a $10 tax on anybody that complains that the situation in the BVI is akin to the days of slavery - it would clear the Government debt very quickly!
    • go back to antigua and nevis (31/05/2017, 22:32) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Every time funny man opens his mouth he is fighting against the indigenous Virgin islanders..
  • the rock (31/05/2017, 12:53) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    $6.00 u all balling about, want to live the boating life u got to spend, its as easy as that!
    • Do your maths (31/05/2017, 16:21) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      $6 per person per day for a group of 8 (typical for a catamaran charter) for 14 days is $672 - enough to persuade many to charter in the USVI, Grenada, Antigua or the Grenadines - you wait and see. Remember how silly fees killed off the charter business in the USVI until they fixed the problem.
      • @Do your maths (31/05/2017, 18:35) Like (16) Dislike (12) Reply
        The charter companies charge that amount or more per person ($672) so give me a break. Everybody wants to make money but nobody wants to pay their fair share. $2 and $6 is what you all bauling about? We pay that and more in airline fees. Give me a break man. You all are sickening. These charter companies charging big money but don't want to pay a simple $6 fee per head. Go USVI or Antigua then..... When you have something valuable like we do here, you need to charge accordingly. Now I understand that these guys are screwing up our money. But it does not change the fact that we are under charging in certain areas, especially areas where foreigners are doing extremely well, while the locals suffer.
  • Jack B. (31/05/2017, 13:19) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    They scrambling for Money. They are like drowning Souls. Vampires. Why they don't of good conscience give up some of their allowances.?... Be the example and people will be more understanding and willing to follow.
  • Yes (31/05/2017, 13:57) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Give me a break! Which local that owns a yacht says this? Not one!
  • i heard it with my 2 ears (31/05/2017, 13:58) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    he said that the ndp will no longer pass laws to protect the locals
  • wize up (31/05/2017, 14:05) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    progress is a must and I am very mindful that things have and will change: I grew up under united Party & Virgin Islands Party leadership(will we ever have that style of political leadership in our territory again)
    • job (31/05/2017, 17:25) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wize up why you don't stop lie, grew up under which United party and Virgin Islands party. You grew up under Robert L. Bradshaw and Kennedy Simmonds.
  • Antiguan (31/05/2017, 14:06) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    remember the man done tell ayo he can't do nothing for locals so go figure
  • Scary Mary (31/05/2017, 14:29) Like (40) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sure, $67.00 per person per day, 52 weeks a year. Why not make it $15.00?

    While you're at it, why not charge a marina in and out tax too!
    usage fee of $5.00 per half day and $7.50 for the full day. No local discount. Ooooh, ooooh and perhaps an air tax for drawing breath except for one mile in any direction from the incinerator. That air should be free - it's nasty!

    Maybe that will help pay down the cruise ship dock that was overspent by 48 MILLION, maybe even the hospital that was overspent by Lord only knows how many millions! Then, of course, there is the airport to consider. Hmmm, well I'm sure we can think of something else when the time comes. Maybe a death tax, a funeral tax, inheritance tax, birth tax, school tax - oh heck, why don't we just all give our pay cheques to Government and you do what you want with it. The rest of us will graze with the cattle.

    Stop SPENDING for heaven's sake!
  • Yes (31/05/2017, 14:44) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    "This is we home, we from here you all like say. We got some Caribbean people also living here that own boats here, they are us, we are one Caribbean."

    The person that you all are quoting sounds anything but local...... Try again...... I think the change will affect everyone though, not just locals.
  • Outlaw (31/05/2017, 14:53) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    He have a darn right, that fella have no calling in the HOA
  • Juan Ping (31/05/2017, 14:56) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rich thiefing the people tax paying dollars.
  • Bottom dollar (31/05/2017, 15:04) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wolf in sheep clothing. No, better yet, a wolf in wolf clothing. That's it!
  • Asking myself? (31/05/2017, 15:24) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    How could I have been soo blinded not to see this man for who he really is?
  • Boss (31/05/2017, 15:27) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    We want our votes back. You not for we atal, atal.
  • lawdy (31/05/2017, 15:52) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    this garut loves sparking fire. Peo drama and controversy. He too much with heself now after making all that money within the few years in power. Just look what my vote helped create. Punishment ontop of more punishment on our people. Lord, GOD, when will this nightmare over. Alot of us had enough already!
  • liberal (31/05/2017, 17:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

    The lil tourist comes on the off season more looking like them ain't going to be coming.. This NDP Government hurting the country and the red flag is flying for them to get them r@$$ out, out, out. and when them get out You all don't put them back ever again..

  • long look me come from (31/05/2017, 17:28) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    He should have not been in we house in the first place
    • Vision. (31/05/2017, 18:44) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply
      He will still get the most vote and be the next Premier in a unity coalition government next election..
      • Tell us (31/05/2017, 20:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        How much mr. man paid you to say this? Vision you say, concave or convex, in light or in darkness, dumbingdown or truly inspiring and empowering? Right now he's politricking youth entrepreneurship with the ones who are behind the scences giving him the ideas. Politricks is never about what is seen.
      • voter (31/05/2017, 22:39) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        Vote him and all their croonies out!
  • Yes (31/05/2017, 17:31) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    The good thing about blogs vs voting is that with blogs, it's one man = 100 or more posts/comments, with voting it's 1 man, 1 vote. I done talk!
    • @LOL (31/05/2017, 19:12) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      You must be in funny man pockets, but it is not going to work this time. NDP is on their last leg.
  • Desperate bunch. (31/05/2017, 18:38) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Desperate for money.... The writing on the wall... Drowning all of we to save themselves...
  • Just saying (31/05/2017, 21:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dispite getting the most votes myrun has killed the NDP
  • Changing Paradigms (31/05/2017, 21:37) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply

    To truly advance our people, you have to equip and empower.

    A 12th grade programme has been instituted and this ministry can not even envision implementing an entrepreneurship course/study at this level. Every student at this level should become equipped with the skills required to start a small business as another option to their lives and career choices. They should be trained to come up with a business plan as part of their school leaving portfolio. For those whose business plan shows promise, should be given support towards bringing their ideas to life. They can even joined up as teams/owners of the start-ups.

    We are paying consultants thousands of dollars. We have knowledgable and experienced people like OJ, B. Lettsome, and others in this camp. They can design a curriculum for the high school on entrepreneurship and possibly teach or train others to teach this course at this level.

    Vision - is like what Cedar School has introduced to their students, embracing technology like 3D Printing.

    While these students are learning the basic designs, drafting and frabricating prototypes creations, they are literally expanding, connecting, and bringing to life their learning in maths, science, geometry, trigonometry, spatial (forms, shapes, angles, etc). Practically learning in 3D.

    Just learning simple 3D children games and puzzles such as those on - www.thinkercad.com - can launch a child's creative/innovative, learning capacity to a whole different level.

    Now, let's look at the possibilities. Some students might gravitate to the designed side of 3D (Design Engineers) some might gravitate to the developing/manufacturing side (development/manufacturing engineers), some might discover they have a passion for computer pixel animation/graphics/pixel films/movie creations side of 3D.

    Once these children get over the basics, they can start creating rather complex frabrications and moldings of: authentic souvenirs for Virgin Islands gifts shops and stores, as well as high graphic drawings, books, prints and paintings (yes original Art works), HD animations as well as Virgin Islands and overseas movie productions; with graduating skills they can move into spaces like boats/yachts designs, and much much more they will be able to produce with those skills. Even in designing the machines required to produce the prototypes for mass manufacturing. Yes. A manufacturing plant for local and global exports.

    Visioning. That is visioning. Let's stop pretending and falling further behind.

    I must applauded the visionaries behind this initiative at cedar school. Please share your information for the advancement of our public education. There is need for collective shared ideas and forward-thinking educational innovation in our country.

    Together we advance, separate we all lose.

    • Wow! (31/05/2017, 23:35) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Changing Paradigms.

      "Where there is no Vision the People perish." This NDP gang just spending and taxing us to death. They need to learn how to use what they already making the best way to advance us forward without undue strain and stress. Sometimes I feel that they all just trying out different things with our tax dollars without any definite overall master plan for our country.

      Vision, they just adopting all these already failed concepts that they think they can tweak because their heads are swollen in our community as the most educated ones.

      I just love your ideas, such a brilliant mind.
    • 3D Printing (01/06/2017, 00:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can also be use to design unique jewelry.
    • Changing Paradigms (01/06/2017, 00:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Correction. The 3D application is www.tinkercad.com
    • Non-Belonger (01/06/2017, 13:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Add in the technology to recycle plastics​ to make filament for 3D printing, https://www.google.vg/amp/s/phys.org/news/2015-03-students-desktop-recycler-bottles-3d.amp
  • weed (31/05/2017, 22:25) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Govt is desolately short of money after some 1.2 M on a little wall around a school, and dreams up new ways to tax us.
  • 911 (31/05/2017, 22:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everything outta dudes mouth is all about raising this and that! How the hell we going live or he wants more money to fix the sewerage by the pub?
  • tola (01/06/2017, 00:41) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I fed up with NDP government now everything that comes out of ayo mouth is money money ayo goin an kill poor people's cause a living in the BVI is so sky high an every minute ayo talking about raising this and that ......ball head can you really do us a favor and go back to where you come from and leave us alone I can't wait for 2019 to hurry up and ......Mr governor plz can you call a early election let's us VOTED out the LYING NDP THEM
  • James Bond (01/06/2017, 06:54) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    I think ppl is missing the point about this law it's plain and simple but I don't understand why all these unnecessary comments. But I guess we only quick to criticized and not look at the bigger picture,it's alot reason why the BVI is known for the sailing capital of the world we have a uniqueness that no other countries have.. yes it maybe a bit difficult to get to us but hey they want what we have.. for example our visitors who come here to sail on boats get here via Antigua or St . Thomas which simply mean they don't have anything on hand to attract them..but I guess the bloggers don't work in yachtin industry so you all wouldn't know the kill these charters day sail does get away with....
  • blue site (01/06/2017, 09:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just read his spin on the pro governmwnt site myron hates locals bottom line
  • LiberatorsandOppressors (01/06/2017, 10:59) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    I hurt for my country; I am crying for my country;I am crying most for the people;People who do not understand times or seasons;People who are just against each other. It reminds me of the days of house and field help,
    When if the majority were banded together, someone in the house yelped; How can we advance as a people with this mentality of constantly cutting down those in authority;To date not a proof to their assertions, but each day on the blogs spoiling somebody's reputation. Lift your head and understand that at the end of the day we are one Virgin Islands nation; they will lump all people of African descent together; and the Oppressors will want to be the liberators. Can't we see that the ultimate should be about the future of the Virgin Island's destiny? Oh, people, stop stifling the vision of the visionaries and let us face reality, this constant behaviour is pushing us in a direction that we will have to fight to rid ourselves from again. Can't we say like Israel, "never again; never," will we ever be ruled by the Originators of Oppression. The pot is boiling, let us not add any ingredients to make it tasty for those who clandestinely are watching from afar. People of the Virgin Islands, be careful what you hope for, be careful what you are hoping for -- no UK leader can do any better than our any of our "so-called corrupt politician." We must control our destiny not retard our growth and ultimate freedom of a brutal past. Mine Eh!
  • Okay!!! (01/06/2017, 21:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A filthy joke on the concept that this dude fighting to be the premier
  • ta ta (01/06/2017, 21:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    Keep it up mvw. Your own hubris will always be your downfall.
  • mary j (05/06/2017, 23:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why do politicians think they are above everyone else?
  • wet (06/06/2017, 23:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a selfish & small man.


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