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HoA sits Friday May 17, 2019; Business as usual

- Will D4 seat conundrum be settled in time?
According to a media release today, May 9, 2019, House of Assembly Clerk Ms Phyllis Evans disclosed that the Third Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly will be done on Friday, May 17, 2019, at 10:00am at the House's Chambers in Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO/File
Mark H. Vanterpool—the Candidate to secure the most votes in District Four at the 2019 General Elections—was on hand for the sitting of the House of Assembly on, April 2, 2019. Speaker of the HoA, Honourable Julian Willock, refused to entertain any questions or motions in relation to Mr Vanterpool and the empty D4 seat. Photo: VINO/Facebook
Mark H. Vanterpool—the Candidate to secure the most votes in District Four at the 2019 General Elections—was on hand for the sitting of the House of Assembly on, April 2, 2019. Speaker of the HoA, Honourable Julian Willock, refused to entertain any questions or motions in relation to Mr Vanterpool and the empty D4 seat. Photo: VINO/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 HoA has indicated that until then it will be business as usual.

HoA Moving Ahead 

According to a media release today, May 9, 2019, HoA Clerk Ms Phyllis Evans said the Third Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly has been scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2019, at 10:00hrs at the House's Chambers in Road Town, Tortola.

On May 7, 2019, House Speaker Hon Willock, through his 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.

While many persons, including the High Court, expressed concern that the Fourth District constituents have been without a representative since the First Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, this is not necessarily the case as the four At Large Representatives are also responsible for the districts.

Stream & Watch Live 

The HoA will be carried live on CBN Radio 90.9 FM, CBN-Television Channel 101 on Flow TV and can also be followed online at www.cbnvirginislands.com.

12 Responses to “HoA sits Friday May 17, 2019; Business as usual”

  • came and left (09/05/2019, 15:23) Like (25) Dislike (10) Reply
    Mark is not missed anyway for the last 8 years he was hardly at the meetings
  • District constituent (09/05/2019, 15:46) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    "While many persons, including the High Court, expressed concern that the Fourth District constituents have been without a representative since the First Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, this is not necessarily the case as the four At Large Representatives are also responsible for the districts."

    No, we want five representatives like everybody else who voted in February!!! Seems like we can amend the constitution to eliminate district representatives.

    Is this the premiers' opinion? By his convenient silence we can assume it is. But giving him the benefit if doubt please can VINO try to have the premier express an opinion on this publically. And if he is unavailable perhaps the Deputy Premier can.
    • To the NDP Bloggers (09/05/2019, 16:09) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      "VINO try to have the premier express an opinion on this publically." what the hell VINO has to do with this?????
    • wize up (09/05/2019, 16:38) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      @ district constituent: sound like you missing those handouts: the district 5 went without a district rep for 5 months(no bi-election) by the way; what is your take about those un-accountable funds from that project on the cay(pier park)
  • So Happy (09/05/2019, 16:08) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    ha ha look myron in the photo, that is the only how he will get close to the people's house
    • @ so happy (10/05/2019, 04:33) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      And that is as close as he will get going forward!!!! he he ha ha
  • Business as usual? (09/05/2019, 16:34) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    So if the high court orders a custodial sentence on a drug offender and he chooses to appeal ( which he is legally entitled) he could go about life as usual in Road Town till the appeal is heard? This is real news. What a precedent to be set here. Defense attorneys pay attention here. Mark, I think you need to show up to be sworn in o'er the order. If I recall well the order said " as soon as possible". With you, the speaker, and HoA quorum present ( all necessaries being fulfilled) on the 17th the speaker may have to answer to the High Court as to why you were not sworn in on that date.
    • @ business as usual? (09/05/2019, 17:27) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      for god in heaven sake go sit down you so sick and silly. NO court can instruct the Parliament and that is long established Law and fact!
  • wize up (09/05/2019, 18:43) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    @ business as usual: some drug offenders have to remain behind bars until their appeal were heard, especially if such an offender is considered a flight risk(now that is real news): All members of the current house of assembly were sworn in back in March and homeboy never showed up
  • asking for a friend (10/05/2019, 04:34) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    So can the governor swear him in?
  • pat (10/05/2019, 07:06) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    Say one say two Mr. Willock will be one of the best speakers ever. Now take that to the bank


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