Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

‘I am no longer a diamond in the rough’ – Hon Marlon A. Penn

- said he has accomplished much in the Eighth District for the VI & the world to see
Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn told his supporters he has delivered as promised. He was speaking at his campaign launch in Red Bay, East End on May 20, 2015. Photo: VINO
Hon Marlon A. Penn gets the blessing of his father Mr Ephraim E. Penn (in photo) who dared his son's challengers to compare their accomplishments. Photo: VINO
Hon Marlon A. Penn gets the blessing of his father Mr Ephraim E. Penn (in photo) who dared his son's challengers to compare their accomplishments. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the campaign launch of Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn on May 20, 2015. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience at the campaign launch of Eighth District Representative Honourable Marlon A. Penn on May 20, 2015. Photo: VINO
Hon Marlon A. Penn (centre) with the NDP Territorial At Large team. From left: Hons Ronnie W. Skelton, Archibald C. Christian, D. Orlando Smith and Myron V. Walwyn. Photo: VINO
Hon Marlon A. Penn (centre) with the NDP Territorial At Large team. From left: Hons Ronnie W. Skelton, Archibald C. Christian, D. Orlando Smith and Myron V. Walwyn. Photo: VINO
Hon Penn was showered with praise for standing firmly against the Ministers of government to get what he wanted for his district. Photo: VINO
Hon Penn was showered with praise for standing firmly against the Ministers of government to get what he wanted for his district. Photo: VINO
A happy supporter. Photo: VINO
A happy supporter. Photo: VINO
Hon Penn with some of his 'little people' supporters. Photo: VINO
Hon Penn with some of his 'little people' supporters. Photo: VINO
Among his biggest fans and supporters are Hon Penn's children and other close relatives. Photo: VINO
Among his biggest fans and supporters are Hon Penn's children and other close relatives. Photo: VINO
Hon Penn interacting with one of his supporters. Photo: VINO
Hon Penn interacting with one of his supporters. Photo: VINO
EAST END, Tortola, VI - “They can take the credit, for all I am concerned about is improving the lives of the citizens of my community.., and their families,” said Honourable Marlon A. Penn as he officially launched his campaign last night, May 20, 2015 in Red Bay, East End.

“I got involved to truly make a difference… to make a difference in the lives of the people that live in my community, and the wider Virgin Islands,” he said.

‘Diamond in the rough now shining’

“Residents and voters of District Eight, just over three and a half years ago, I came before you as a diamond in the rough… beaming with hope, promise and untapped potential. I offered you a new kind of leadership, leadership that would listen, respond and deliver.

“District Eight…, you took a chance on me... Now three and half years later… your diamond in the rough is well polished…, and District Eight, our district, is shining for the rest the Virgin Islands and the world to see.”

According to Hon Penn, prior to taking office after the November 2011 elections, he had promised changes in four (4) broad sectors; namely education and youth development, improvement to physical environment, infrastructural improvements and economic development through the engagement of small business. “As you move around the community, our record of accomplishments is evident,” he said.

His record

Speaking of his accomplishment in the area of education, he said that after taking office his government met the educational infrastructure of the Eighth District community in a state of disrepair.

“Specifically in District Eight, the Willard Wheatley Primary School, my alma mater, was left in a state of abandonment. The school was plagued with unsanitary bathroom facilities, uncomfortable classrooms, and..., an unfulfilled promise of a new staff room facility,” he said

Hon Penn added that today the very school has been resurrected with remodelled restrooms, air-conditioned classrooms and a 40-year old promise that was made to teachers and students was honoured with the construction of a brand new staff room.

He said once elected to return to the House of Assembly he will explore the deployment of modern tools for learning such as smart boards and modern computer labs.

Focus on youth

Admitting that he adopted a plan first presented by former legislator Vernon E. Malone, where local petty contractors were asked to employ at least two young persons to help develop their skills in the construction field, Hon Penn said many contractors agreed and some of the young people are still working in this industry some three and a half years later.

He also said that after seven (7) months of taking office, the Greenland Field, which he met with just a clump of mud and stinging nettle bushes after large sums of monies were expended by the previous government, was restored for the people of the 7th and 8th Districts and the greater Virgin Islands. “This facility is now the most utilised recreational facility in the entire territory,” he said.

In addition, he said ground was broken on a new multi-purpose sporting facility in Greenland, through a partnership with the BVI Football Association (BVIFA).

‘Running sewage on the road a thing of the past’

On the physical infrastructure of his district, Honourable Penn said the community has been transformed to a community on the rise. “We now have...an improved drainage system, new water infrastructure and a newly paved road from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge to Parham Town. And plans are in place to continue these improvements from Parham Town to Long Swamp.”

This, he said, is in addition to the recently installed new force main sewerage line from Chapel Hill to Parham Town and feeder lines from Parham Town to Major Bay which will continue to Long Swamp shortly.

“Running sewage on the streets of Greenland is now a thing of the past,” said Hon Penn.

Further speaking of his accomplishments, Hon Penn said Trellis Bay and Beef Island have both been transformed from dumpsites to enhanced areas with a regularly maintained parking area and road way, as well as a covered waiting area for tourists and commuters to the sister islands. 

“It is our vision to continue the up-keep of the Trellis Bay area, with the addition of a welcome centre with the opportunity for commercial space for local entrepreneurs,” he said.

Unleashing the ‘sleeping economic giant’

Hon Penn promised to unleash the sleeping ‘economic giant’ -the fishing industry, “a global 80 billion dollar a year industry”, if re-elected.

“The opportunity is ripe to strengthen our traditional fishing methods, like pot fishing and line fishing… by exposing our fishermen to new technologies. I, along with the rest of team NDP, will develop a roadmap, to venture into other areas... such as long lining, fish farming and sports fishing. We must expose our current and prospective fishermen to these new opportunities,” he said.

According to Hon Penn, plans are already afoot to ensure that the proper laws/policies are in place and enforced in order to protect against over-fishing, and illegal fishing within Virgin Islands waters. “We will use modern technology, like GPS and other methods, to better protect our banks and police our waters. Our fisherman must come together and form a co-op between themselves and Government...in order to capitalise on the revolution that is about to happen in this sector.” 

21 Responses to “‘I am no longer a diamond in the rough’ – Hon Marlon A. Penn”

  • Jeezy (21/05/2015, 08:54) Like (53) Dislike (1) Reply
    I honestly feel like Hon. Penn has done a lot of good work in his district, and feel like a lot of those things that he talk about for the future can benefit not only the 8th district but the entire BVI. Kudos to you Sir.
    • GTFOOH (21/05/2015, 20:19) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      Dude you were never a diamond. Rough or otherwise. Don't fool yourself. You caught a lucky break and NDP is determined to hold onto that seat so they fed the district. And fed it some more. In the meantime done deal district is ignored because they feel that it is an easy seat. There is nothing special about you. you are just being used in the game.
  • Yes (21/05/2015, 08:56) Like (8) Dislike (47) Reply
    Malone is just in the wrong party..ndp is evil
  • VotingStartNow (21/05/2015, 09:05) Like (60) Dislike (11) Reply
    Like if you with NDP dislike if you against them
  • NDP heckler (21/05/2015, 09:13) Like (15) Dislike (47) Reply
    This guy is shining off of Dancia projects.
    • Don't be a idiot (21/05/2015, 12:19) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      What projects did Dancia start?? It's quite CLEAR that she did not accomplished HALF of the things rookie Marlon accomplished over three and and half years.. **BIG Deputy Premier and still was Min. Of Health**
    • Really? (21/05/2015, 13:12) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      He has accomplished more that she ever did when she was representing the 8th District.
    • Special kind of idiot (21/05/2015, 13:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's what you are, a very special one.
  • respect (21/05/2015, 09:34) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    No he is shining off of things that needed to be done and was done. These things were needed to be done way before Dancia took office. But I gained a lot of respect last night for Malone when he said that the Mentorship program to place young people in jobs especially in the construction field was Vernon Malone idea and he wants to give credit where credit is due. Because I remember Mr. Malone did campaign on that where some people was saying it could not be done. And the cadet core program was Mr. Malone idea too I remember Dancia at her launch in 2011 said he also got the legislation together to do it. Mr Malone was just on the wrong team. Marlon you have my vote and even more respect. As you said its amazing what you can get done when you are not concern about who gets the credit. Maybe thats why some politician especially on the otehrside who held ministries can't get anything done.
  • Non Bias (21/05/2015, 12:22) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marlon has been a LOUD voice for the people of the 8th District ! Promises made and promises DELIEVERED ! Let us all help him to finish what he started come June 8th.. Marlon A. Penn for the 8th District "X"
  • z6ne (21/05/2015, 14:11) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply

    Hon. Penn going to legalize the herb?!

  • Curious (21/05/2015, 16:13) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    No matter what side of the political landscape you on there is no denying results. Marlon going through by a big margin in the eighth not because of what no body say but because of what was DONE. Nuf respect to Hon. Markon Penn...
  • Ron (21/05/2015, 16:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unless u live under a rock you simple can't deny what this young man did for his district. I am not for party I am more for representation and I know a lot of people feels the same way as I am, Marlon will get my vote because it shows he is willing to work for the people.
  • NDP voter (21/05/2015, 16:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    Love Hon. Penn he is getting back in but I was told that certain people in certain work positions should not be up front in political meets 

    • Hmmmm (21/05/2015, 17:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yea i cant for Frazer to get in to get rid of them! They know better but the still want to be in things!!
  • chad (21/05/2015, 17:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    Isn't it a conflict of interest for the CEO of the government bank to be so visible and political affiliated to a party? The rules for civil servants should apply the same. Let it had been the other way around.

    • Smalls (21/05/2015, 19:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is so true can't agree with u more. I am 100% sure she know that it's a conflict but knowing her she don't care and will do what she want and what pleases her
    • aiR (22/05/2015, 05:39) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      The rules are different for statutory boards. Check them out.
  • vip (21/05/2015, 20:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    If I was in the 8th I would vote for Marlon because he really has performed well for the people and they seem to appreciate him. I wish that kind of representative was in my district now
  • kids (26/05/2015, 00:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vip all the way


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.