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‘I am awaiting decision on D4 By-election’ – Luce D. Hodge-Smith

-Says Budget 2019 prioritises need to help people
Luce D. Hodge-Smith, the District 4 candidate under the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) 2019 election slate who lost in her bid to become representative of that area, says that with all the conundrum surrounding Mark H. Vanterpool and the D4 seat, she is awaiting a decision on whether there will be a By-election or not. Photo: Facebook
With Ms Hodge-Smith’s position on awaiting by-elections known, a judicial review of the matter surrounding the District 4 seat Saga and Mr Vanterpool is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at the High Court. Photo. VINO/Facebook
With Ms Hodge-Smith’s position on awaiting by-elections known, a judicial review of the matter surrounding the District 4 seat Saga and Mr Vanterpool is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at the High Court. Photo. VINO/Facebook
Ms Hodge-Smith—who had a very active 2019 campaign season but ultimately lost to the Incumbent Vanterpool—said that the 2019 budget is built on the need to help people, “I also recognise his [Premier Fahie] efforts to help people, I think that is so important... Although we are restricted, although we may not have the funds, I think it’s important.” Photo: Facebook
Ms Hodge-Smith—who had a very active 2019 campaign season but ultimately lost to the Incumbent Vanterpool—said that the 2019 budget is built on the need to help people, “I also recognise his [Premier Fahie] efforts to help people, I think that is so important... Although we are restricted, although we may not have the funds, I think it’s important.” Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Luce D. Hodge-Smith, the District 4 candidate under the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) 2019 election slate who lost in her bid to become representative of that area, says that with all the conundrum surrounding Mark H. Vanterpool and the D4 seat, she is awaiting a decision on whether there will be a By-election or not.

Ms Hodge-Smith—who lost to Mr Vanterpool by 57 votes, obtained 385 votes with Mr Vanterpool taking 442—revealed her position during an April 2, 2019, interview with the Government Information Service (GIS) in the compound of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly after the $426M budget presentation from Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

Position Clear

“As you know, I am awaiting the decision whether we will have the By-election, and I still expressed an interest to compete should there be a By-election an even if there isn’t one, I am still interested in serving the district in whatever capacity I can,” Ms Hodge-Smith told GIS in a Facebook live video stream.

According to her, it is still very important to be up to date will all that is happening and more so, the decisions that the VIP government make, “So attending today’s budget address is very important… to hear for myself all that’s to be said, all that’s to be decided… and how this government is going to proceed going forward in taking the country forward.”

Speaking directly on the budget estimates, she said it was very interesting, but she would need a copy to be able to comb the details and fully understand the concepts presented by the Premier.

“It was pretty long… I would need to get a copy in order to digest it for myself, but I thought that the Hon Premier delivered… very interesting concepts they have in the budget and recognising that it is a transitional budget,” she further implored.

Helping People

Ms Hodge-Smith—who had a very active 2019 election campaign season but ultimately lost to the incumbent Vanterpool—said that the 2019 budget is built on the need to help people, “I also recognise his [Premier Fahie] efforts to help people, I think that is so important... Although we are restricted, although we may not have the funds, I think it’s important.”

Further, Hodge-Smith said what struck her most about the budget was the fact that those in territory who may still be looking for help after the 2017 hurricanes, will finally get it, “I was really pleased [with] the fact that help will come to our people that need it very urgently, especially those that suffered during the hurricanes and weren’t able to get themselves back on the ground,” she said.

With Ms Hodge-Smith’s position on awaiting by-elections known, a judicial review of the matter surrounding the District 4  Saga, the House Speaker and Mr Vanterpool is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at the High Court. 

25 Responses to “‘I am awaiting decision on D4 By-election’ – Luce D. Hodge-Smith ”

  • facts (03/04/2019, 19:13) Like (67) Dislike (56) Reply
    Can’t wait to vote for her
    • facts (03/04/2019, 19:43) Like (52) Dislike (50) Reply
      Cant wait to vote for Mark
    • Concerned (03/04/2019, 23:35) Like (30) Dislike (33) Reply
      Why is she waiting she needs to start spring cleaning her home change her curtains,clean windows ,wash all her linen and so on .Then go to One Mart do her Easter shopping so she can prepare a lovely Dinner
    • Power Hungry People (04/04/2019, 11:53) Like (14) Dislike (15) Reply
      They people have the government, what more seats are they looking for at this time? We need the country to Unite and get behind of the Premier so we can move forward. Her time will come, but if she and Willow screw this up like Mark did, then they too will be out. Let move Forward not backward. The election is over and the people has chosen.
  • Aye (03/04/2019, 19:29) Like (27) Dislike (29) Reply
    Luce go sit down I love u tooo much to get caught up in this s,;::&/%t
    • girly (03/04/2019, 20:08) Like (32) Dislike (35) Reply
      Thank you. She needs to go sit down. How is she waiting anyway?? Wasn’t she out campaigning already!? Mark is the elected representative and the courts will agree.
  • Laws (03/04/2019, 20:03) Like (31) Dislike (34) Reply
    Wait?! Is she entitled to a seat?
  • GIS? (03/04/2019, 20:11) Like (32) Dislike (32) Reply
    Is it correct for GIS to be conducting interviews with interested political candidates? Does not seem correct to me.
    • same thing (03/04/2019, 21:06) Like (21) Dislike (21) Reply
      I’m here wondering the same thing. GIS is totally out of order here. Is she a government employee or representative.
    • @ Gis? (04/04/2019, 07:50) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
      Yes it’s when ndp was in where were u fool
  • Eagle Eye (03/04/2019, 20:15) Like (47) Dislike (46) Reply

    If you are waiting then you are clearly supporting willock. Go TAKE A SEAT and SIDUNG until next election

  • Just saying (04/04/2019, 01:07) Like (30) Dislike (33) Reply
    Mark might still win the by election
    • faith (04/04/2019, 09:24) Like (33) Dislike (19) Reply
      Should there be a bi-election, I don't think the people of the 4th District would be so stupid to vote again for a man who quit on them one week after elections
      • please (04/04/2019, 12:21) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
        clear it up for me. If he is the reason for the void, how can he run again?
  • Road Town (04/04/2019, 03:44) Like (39) Dislike (11) Reply
    You BVIslanders are showing your crab in bucket mentality pulling down the Sister when most of you commenting are @#$&* and have nothing positive to offer. Mark pUT himself in this mess. He's very suspect of being corrupt. In or out of government he's a loser.
  • Liat 521 (04/04/2019, 07:51) Like (27) Dislike (13) Reply
    She will win mark is afraid of the by election
  • Really (04/04/2019, 09:27) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    @Road Town. How do you know that it is BVIslanders commenting? Seems like you have the ability to see through phones and computers
    • Road Town (04/04/2019, 14:42) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      Anyone who can vote is a bvislander/belonger. I have a right to my considered opinion. You have yours. You looking arguement. Cant see through computer but i can see thu u n ur nonsense. blogging is sickening. Set of ingrates .
  • people, people, people (04/04/2019, 09:33) Like (33) Dislike (7) Reply
    If after 20+ years in politics mark did not learn anything as yet, when will he ever learn? We accept any nonsense and expect the system to change. Just unbelievable the mindset of some of our people. No wonder! Just unbelievable the standards we are willing to continue to accept from a 20+ years political veteran because of the little pittance shared among the district.

  • sad situation (04/04/2019, 13:26) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
    I went into the People's Store a few days after 4th District Member said he takes back his resignation. Persons were approaching him and brining up the topic and to my surprise he had it as a big joke. Even him and the Attorney General had big laugh about the situation. At that point an anger built up inside of me but I kindly walked away. My thought was he takes the people of the BVI for fools (not just BVIslanders but PEOPLE LIVING IN THE BVI). It's really a sad situation but I pray that closure will soon come.
    • Eagle Eye (04/04/2019, 14:16) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
      Were you expecting him to cry?
    • The mihhty rocky (04/04/2019, 16:08) Like (7) Dislike (12) Reply
      Sad situation go tske a seat, here talking crsp about getting angry, mark aint going no where, the 4th will always love him! He goes when and only he wants too. Boo yah!
      • tretretrete (05/04/2019, 08:51) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        When the Lord ready for he, he will be going. Buh when he ready he gone go. He must be name Jesus.
  • Interested (04/04/2019, 14:11) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    She needs to get on with her life.If a bi election comes,so beit,but don’t sit and wait.


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