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Hon Walwyn fails VG Festival again! Broken promises on outstanding funds!

- owes Virgin Gorda Festival Committee $40,000 which they desperately need to pay outstanding bills
The New Royal Festival Ensemble performing their routines to the sound of VIBE during the Virgin Gorda Festival Parade 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Critics of Education and Culture Minister, Hon Myron V. Walwyn, have blasted him for wasting $1M on a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School before the 2015 general elections, monies that could have gone to schools for much needed supplies and to the emancipation celebration. Photo: VINO/File
Critics of Education and Culture Minister, Hon Myron V. Walwyn, have blasted him for wasting $1M on a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School before the 2015 general elections, monies that could have gone to schools for much needed supplies and to the emancipation celebration. Photo: VINO/File
Chairperson of the Virgin Gorda Festival Subcommittee, Sasha D. A. Flax (left) and Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee, Kishma A. Baronville. Photo: VINO/File
Chairperson of the Virgin Gorda Festival Subcommittee, Sasha D. A. Flax (left) and Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee, Kishma A. Baronville. Photo: VINO/File
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- The controversial and embattled Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn, a Territorial At Large Member, is in the spotlight yet again over his portfolio.

It was this online news site that first and accurately broke the news in February of this year that, a month before the Virgin Gorda Festival, the committee had not received a dime from Hon Walwyn and his Festival and Fairs Committee to organise events.

Once the news broke, 48 hours later a cheque was on Speedy’s Ferry Service heading to the committee to help make the event possible.

Promised $100,000, only delivered $60,000

During that time, Hon Walwyn promised the people of Virgin Gorda and their festival sub-committee that they will be granted $100,000 for their festival, but only delivered on $60,000, according to information obtained by this news site from festival spending records.

It means now that there is a $40,000 outstanding that Hon Walwyn still has not granted and, as of post time, this means he has not kept his promise to the Virgin Gorda Festival Sub-Committee some three months after the festivities ended on March 28, 2016.

A resident of Virgin Gorda, who is not a member of the Festival Committee but who is familiar with the issue, speaking to our newsroom last week said, “I heard they even went to Dr [Hubert] O’Neal, our Representative, about the outstanding monies but so far nothing…VG is still treated like an outcast, we only see and hear Myron and the rest close to election….” the angry resident claimed.

It appears from the spending records obtained by our newsroom, that the Virgin Gorda Festival Committee kept within budget and they only have about $40,000 left in outstanding bills from the money promised to them.

No money there

When this news site called a senior source in the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee about the matter, the member refused to go on record but stated, “VINO, you know the problem is no money so why is this a story?” They then hung up the telephone.

The outstanding monies from Minister Walwyn are needed to pay outstanding bills for vendors on both Tortola and Virgin Gorda, including calypsonians, and for paying for trophies and trucking services, to name a few according to vendors calling our newsroom.

Broken promises; Pay vendors

A former Virgin Gorda Festival Committee Member, who wished for their name not to be used, said “the committee here must be given credit for staying within budget. Myron promised them $100,000 and he should be a man of his words…people need their money, it’s rough in Virgin Gorda right now…”

This year the Tortola Festival seems to be off to a bad start also, with not much enthusiasm or participation. Critics of the unpopular Education and Culture Minister said Mr Walwyn has made everything political and added to that the lack of funds. They have blasted him for wasting $1M on a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School before the 2015 general elections, monies that could have gone to schools for much needed supplies and to the Emancipation celebration.

Officials from both the Ministry of Education and the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee declined to go on record on this matter.

Chairperson of the Virgin Gorda Festival Sub-Committee, Sasha D. A. Flax and Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee, Kishma A. Baronville could not be reached for comments before publication time.

NDP left country broke

It is unclear when the Ministry of Education or the Minister will give the Virgin Gorda Festival Committee the outstanding $40,000, however, a source from the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “not sure myself, they have been calling and calling about their outstanding [money] but you know we have Tortola celebration to deal with and money remains an issue.”

The many critics of the National Democratic Party (NDP), which includes the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Opposition, the media, talk show hosts and civil society, have accused the current Government of Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith of raiding the Government Treasury to buy the 2015 elections, leaving the country broke.

34 Responses to “Hon Walwyn fails VG Festival again! Broken promises on outstanding funds!”

  • Try Something New (01/07/2016, 08:25) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Give these festivals out as contracts through a transparent bidding process. And let it go Mr. Minister and let the contractors be responsible... Try something new.
  • VI Realist (01/07/2016, 08:25) Like (26) Dislike (6) Reply
    MYRON IS A NATIONAL EMBARRESMENT HE NEEDS TO BE FIRED I AM SO DISAPOINTED IN HIS LEADERSHIP.
    • @VI realist. me 2 (01/07/2016, 12:11) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Never new Myron was that stubborn. No one has all the answers. No one knows it all. Listening is the introduction to wisdom. Myron not as wise as I thought...I agree with try something new.
  • wize up (01/07/2016, 08:30) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you want money from the current administration simply team up with a NDP affiliate; inflate the bill you take out your share and the NDP colligue takes their cut: someone with political influence must be part of your project if you need government money
  • bvibuzz (01/07/2016, 08:36) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    They got money for what they want
  • voter (01/07/2016, 08:40) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    He failed in education now he failed in culture and yea we going make him Premier
  • Once again (01/07/2016, 08:46) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    (NDP) Neglecting Da#n People.
  • mvw is the star of this show (01/07/2016, 09:03) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    He again on VINO? He is getting too much unnecessary air time (political mileage) which he doesn't deserve at this time.
  • one love (01/07/2016, 09:20) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
    This year festival will be a mess but I do understand what Myron our minister is saying about how he see BVI heritage should look and dress code. With that said its a easy fix for all of this there are so many different culture in the BVI 90% are down islands people let each country make their own troop to represent their country and make festival a cultural or all living on this island and I can assure u what an outstanding turn out it will be with an historical breaking records of troops
    • say what (01/07/2016, 12:47) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      It's not about everyone's culture from around the caribbean, it's about indigenous BVI culture and emancipation.
      • one love (01/07/2016, 13:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        well see how it turn out then
        sometimes it a little change is good are u on a troop?
        if not what the point u making by not supporting your culture
      • It our culture BVI (01/07/2016, 21:40) Like (0) Dislike (10) Reply
        Say what down island people it the BVI culture not them keep them out..
        • one love (03/07/2016, 06:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
          Can u tell me which soca artists, which regga artists, which Dancehall artist, R&B goes around world and put the BVI out their on the map just tell me one.

          Child be real down island people it what make BVI festival something. Look at carrot bay down island people look and cane garden bay down islands and east end

          Wake up sleepy head not because we are not from here makes us bad people we help pay BVI owner mortgage by paying rent if not for us bank will go with lost of home because u try to live bey
        • one love (03/07/2016, 10:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          try to live the high life beyond what they can afford
    • Lord have mercy (02/07/2016, 10:52) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      The down island people are never recognized here, all ways some negative things about them, so why ask them now to present their own troops to make BVI festival looks good. Only when all you cannot do better all you want to involve down island people. Hope you recognizing now how important down island people is to this country
  • ????? (01/07/2016, 09:28) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is mr walwyn the lamb for the slaughter??????
  • kick backs (01/07/2016, 09:52) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wasted money on a wall now fs tell he the money done
  • Really? (01/07/2016, 11:44) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Agreed that Mr. Walwyn had dropped the ball, but why does it cost $ 100K for a parade on Virgin Gorda for goodness sake?
    • @ Really? (01/07/2016, 14:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      because he was plying politics and told Ms. Flax she will get $100,000...Myron weak weak weak
  • Eagle Eye (01/07/2016, 11:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    All that money they have inside social security hide all over the place can do the job easy
  • we in trouble. (01/07/2016, 12:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seems like everyone Involved in festival at the top finding away to Rob us. Plus we don't get value for money..
  • Suggestions 4 better (01/07/2016, 12:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Our Festival here can be great we need to make some serious decisions... 1/ we don't have a govt own radio station like the rest of the Caribbean that hyped and pumped festival up months before. These Radio station only concern about making money from festival..who play local bands and local calypso after festival? Get all Local bands to Audition free for 45 mins in an open area all day on a Saturday, use it as a festival fun raiser then book accordingly for village, only the bands that audition will be considered for village entertainment... We really need to go local, but we need local to step up.. Serious.. Its a new game a new page. We can make it happened.. (Make the definition of a band clear) " 4 or more members"...Then ask the bands who don't have a troupe to create a troupe and if any can register a troupe of more than 25 people get a truck, a generator, a driver and $1500 dollars incentive.....
    • just asking (04/07/2016, 13:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The committee members need to go throughout the communities when the bands are performing at events, restaurants, etc. they don't ask the bands from outside to audition? some of them come, they get paid big money and they DONT perform well. just want the proves to be fair for all
  • chad (01/07/2016, 13:27) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    Is this personal?
    • @ wow (01/07/2016, 16:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      how so I don't think Myron hates VG they voted for him in droves, he just like all others lots of promises no action
    • @ wow (01/07/2016, 16:42) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      What would walwyn have personal against the vg festival some of u just like confusion
  • Blind Man (01/07/2016, 13:27) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    I could see thru the hatred.
  • cuban (01/07/2016, 14:52) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    poor falla can't handle education or culture but want the top job!
  • basic (01/07/2016, 15:46) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Time to go back to the old time days of festival we want culture. That was culture its foolishness now. Time to look for the master of culture Jesus Christ the one who you and I would never find a fault in. He had the greatest gathering and all was satisfied.

    Mr. Minister you promised those people 100,000.00. Please find the balance some how and don't even send it to them, Carry it your self. Times hard but live by your promise.
  • Boss (02/07/2016, 11:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    My run have a darm right to treat all yo how he want, festival these days looks more like a young people thing. During the election the young people have all the hype behind this man jumping up and down talking about youths for walwyn, where are all those young people now seems like their tongue cut out. Look at what happening now, every decision My run makes affects the young people. When a man feels his brain is bigger than everyone else's own this is what you will get in the end. Remember his brain is bigger than everyone's own so he needs not listen to anyone. 

  • i from here (04/07/2016, 09:06) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    How much was for the smaller wall down SCB ?
  • Eagle Eye (05/07/2016, 02:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well if vg participants aint get paid yet then its obvious tola local bands will have to wait again a next year to get pay while outsiders walk of with their $$ rite away
  • Nutty (05/07/2016, 22:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government needs to get out of the entertainment/festival business. You want a festival? Raise your own damn money for it.


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