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I will not tolerate ‘disrespect’ from Hon Fraser- Hon O’Neal

- said he felt disrespected by Opposition Leader at recent ‘unprecedented’ VG meeting
Ninth District Representative Dr The Hon Hubert O'Neal feels disrespected by comments made by Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) at his town hall meeting on November 2, 2016. Photo: File
Some of the persons at the Catholic Community Centre in the Valley, Virgin Gorda at the public meeting called by Ninth District Representative Dr The Hon Hubert O'Neal on November 9, 2016. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons at the Catholic Community Centre in the Valley, Virgin Gorda at the public meeting called by Ninth District Representative Dr The Hon Hubert O'Neal on November 9, 2016. Photo: VINO
Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) addressing residents of Virgin Gorda at the Catholic Community Centre on November 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
Opposition Leader Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) addressing residents of Virgin Gorda at the Catholic Community Centre on November 2, 2016. Photo: Provided
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Representative for the Ninth District Dr The Hon Hubert O’Neal said while he is aware that the role of the Opposition is to be the watchdog of good governance, he felt disrespected when a meeting to which he was not even invited to, turned into a public bashing exercise on him.

According to Hon O’Neal, the leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) called him two Saturdays ago informing him as a form of “courtesy” of the November 2, 2016 meeting at the Catholic Community Centre. The Ninth District Representative O’Neal said he is aware that congress was coming up and the Opposition Leader was vying for leadership for their party and was seeking support from supporters of their Virgin Islands Party (VIP). However, he was not expecting to be the main topic of discourse!

‘Unprecedented & disrespectful’

“I certainly did not expect that it would turn into a bashing affair to me. That to me was disrespectful as the district representative…and this is unprecedented, never in our political history has one district representative gone to another district and bash the representative. And why I find it so disrespectful is that I am a new member of the House [of Assembly] and you expect some guidance from a more senior member. He has been around for over 20 odd years, I expect him to come to me if some of my constituency come to him complaining about something I did or didn’t do,” Hon O’Neal pointed out.

“I have problems with that, this is total disrespect and I will not tolerate it.”

Hon O’Neal made the statement during a town hall meeting at the Catholic Community Centre in Virgin Gorda last evening, Wednesday November 9, 2016. The purpose of the meeting was to update the people on the progress of work being done as well as plans for the district.

According to Hon O’Neal, if Hon Fraser had concerns he should have called him to the meeting or even discussed it with him.

District Rep told to be more accessible

One man suggested that he makes himself available whenever those meetings are held in the district so that he will be able to defend himself as the need arises. Another argued that the district has issues that needed to be addressed and he should be made more accessible and engage the community since they are the ones who voted him in and are giving him a fair chance to prove himself.

He said Hon Fraser saw a loophole and he capitalised on it.

Hon Fraser’s meeting

The meeting with the Opposition Leader spoke on many issues, including the alleged inability by constituents to reach Hon O’Neal, going as far as suggesting that it may be a case of disrespect for the Representative through assistance by his own National Democratic Party (NDP).

Hon Fraser had pointed out that the shortcomings of any Representative of the Ninth District could be blamed on them having the lack of reach and that just a few days ago he was presented with the perfect case. He said a resident of Anegada had copied him in on a letter written to Dr O’Neal complaining about their inability to meet with him after several failed attempts.

“I tried to get an appointment to meet with you several times. You have refused to give me an appointment. The times that I tried for an appointment are  #1 Friday, February 12th, 2016  #2 Wed. February 24th, 2016  #3 Wed. April 6th, 2016 #4 Wed. June 1st, 2016  #5 Wed. July 6th, 2016  #6 Wed. Sept 7th, 2016, and  #7 Friday, Sept. 23rd, 2016,” the letter to Dr O’Neal stated.

Hon Fraser said the sender of the letter had traveled from Anegada to Tortola on each occasion they attempted to reach the representative without success. This letter was postmarked October 10, 2016, and Hon Fraser said he called the individual on Friday, October 25, 2016.

Matter of being inaccessible ‘laughable’

In response, Hon O’Neal thought the matter laughable since the same person is a client of his. He said the people can meet with him on Wednesdays and Saturdays, through his full-time secretary, or even through his personal contact.

Other issues raised in the Hon Fraser meeting was an alleged unfair distribution of work in Anegada, food shortage at the Senior Citizens Home, and the call for regular office hours.

Hon O’Neal said persons can look forward to having a meeting with him every three months, and reminded them that he has been in office for just one year and five months, and everything will not be done in that time frame.

38 Responses to “I will not tolerate ‘disrespect’ from Hon Fraser- Hon O’Neal”

  • VG (10/11/2016, 08:27) Like (56) Dislike (9) Reply
    VIP go shopping fast to get someone to replace Dr. Oneal he is the biggest waste of time
  • THINK! (10/11/2016, 08:33) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    All you have to do is the best job for your district and wear your teflon suit. How others make you feel should not be the headlines. What you do for the people should be the headlines. MAN UP!
  • Hmm (10/11/2016, 08:40) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man is so silly tho,,VG in trouble thats why evey hotel closed and no work
    • VG Voter. (10/11/2016, 12:38) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is a good thing that Hon Frazer come over. Now he find time to come and hold meting , what a waste you are. I am sorry I give you all my vote.
  • wize up (10/11/2016, 08:44) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    Welcome to the real world Dr.O'Neal: thanks to fraser you have ting to talk now!!!'
  • one eye (10/11/2016, 08:51) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    Damage control look empty chairs
  • Sick (10/11/2016, 08:51) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply
    What a looser. Hubert, Fraser is the Leader of the Opposition, he has the right to go into any District, including yours
    • @sick (10/11/2016, 12:56) Like (3) Dislike (21) Reply
      Fraser has a right to his own district. He is not an at large representaive. He was totally out of line. Going on like he's an angel with a hailo..please...
      • Uneducated (10/11/2016, 18:17) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
        Fool Fraser is the Leader of the Opposition, he represents all 9 Districts. He can go to all of them anything
        • @Uneducted (11/11/2016, 08:52) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
          He is a district representative, not an at large representative or leader of government..He need to know his place which is the 3rd district. Out of order!!
  • VG Resident (10/11/2016, 09:07) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes please come around more . We want you to take a good look into how the seniors in your district are being treated. Please do its a shame.
  • Yes (10/11/2016, 09:12) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    He must be fraser's son?
  • VG (10/11/2016, 09:13) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come around more check your district we need help desperately
  • Petty (10/11/2016, 09:23) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    So many issues are at stake in North Sound, Valley and Anegada that needs dire attention.

    This is no time to be concerned about Fraser,and what he did, he knows his role,he knows about respect,he knows about communication.

    Get busy!
  • look here (10/11/2016, 09:26) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    why are these politicians so sensitive, i guess the truth do hurt. the opposition leaders' job it not to coach someone he is trying to unseat, that the job of people in your party. Instead of crying foul just do better, it's not disrespectful for the opposition leader to do his job. ummm I think you just lost your seat and it's not even election time yet
    • !!!!! (10/11/2016, 11:14) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      @look here, not think he lost his seat, he already lost it in my book. We need someone else to represent us.
  • north sound (10/11/2016, 09:35) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man hubert preching voilence sick SMH
  • Lead my example (10/11/2016, 09:54) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    This fool going on like somebody come in his eye shop to embarrass him and he could knock them out. Mr. Politician, we already see how the young people, especially the young men solving issues by being physical. Raise the bar and set your standards high. According to Mrs. Obama: "when they go low, you go high". You represent Virgin Gorda, but Virgin Gorda ain't yours. Fraser or anybody for that matter have a right to take a microphone and go wherever they want as long as its not on your property. NDP too thin skin. Always get offended when they get criticize. Cut your crap and get out and represent the people who trusted you with their X. You are now showing that their vote was only an equation X and now we have to find 'X"
  • Tallfat (10/11/2016, 10:07) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    This veteran politician who contested the election against his namesake crying bout he's a junior. Hah am choking at the old baby, yep an old baby wanting to be lifted and suck on boobes on the job. Did you not know what the job description was when you applied? Now you get the baton you a drop or mishandle or running in the wrong lane. Don't you know that will disqualify you man. All other representatives getting the PEOPLES job done except YOU. Now why is that? If you can't speak for the people to your colleagues then why are you in such a position? Stop your whining like a little girl, go do your job or call it quits. It seem it'll be better to have another opposition rep making noise on behalf of the people than you complaining about people making you bad.
  • wow (10/11/2016, 10:32) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    this guy is a joke
  • barking up the wrong tree (10/11/2016, 10:36) Like (19) Dislike (11) Reply
    This man wants to get physical with fraser? Well come down leh we spread yo out like a sheet.
  • Topaz (10/11/2016, 11:21) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have said and will continue to say, that HO is the biggest joker to ever enter the HOA as a representative. He makes Alvera and Delores looks so darm good
  • After all (10/11/2016, 11:51) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fraser went to VG not this man's house.
  • learn (10/11/2016, 12:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Learn to laugh. It's the best way to deal with ignorance. Learn to turn your anger into a smile..
  • Outspoken (10/11/2016, 13:14) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh poor thing. What a cry cry baby. Go and represent the people who elect you and stop your darm crying. It takes a visit from Fraser to get you out of your slumber. Hon. Fraser should visit more to ensure the people of VG see you more
  • Yes (10/11/2016, 15:21) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I can hear him crying "aaahhh aahhh, heen invite me ahhhhh ahhhh, and he talk bad bout me ahhhh aahhhh
  • facts check (10/11/2016, 17:11) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Check out the British Parliament from time to time, you will see "cut throat politics" Frazer is out of order. He is not an at large candidate. He is campaigning to become leader of the opposition so he is out trying to gain mileage. How is it Ok for him to go in the member’s district to publicly criticize him in a political meeting? I hope the dying VIP party doesn’t make the mistake of nominating him Leader of anything or it will surely be dead. With 20 more days to the VIP congress, we need to see some real candidates step up. Robert Mactavious, Gerard Farara, Dancia Penn, Colin Oneal , Carl Dawson, James Todman, Ronald Georges, Irad Potter, Antoinette Skelton, Leslie-ann Faulkner etc. etc. etc. I do not know their political affiliation but we need to recruit new members.
    • Grave Digger (10/11/2016, 18:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      "He is campaigning to become leader of the opposition" what foolishness, Fraser is campaigning for nothing, he is already Leader of the Opposition. And as Leader of the Opposition he can go in any District whenever he pleases.

      And as far as these dead
    • affected (11/11/2016, 05:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @facts check
      A decent set of people ; A good choice to start a NEW PARTY .
      With the present / continuing internal power struggle , the VIP has already self distruct :
      We need A NEW BEGINNING
  • Look Things (10/11/2016, 18:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    He mentioned in another news site that he would punch Fraser in the jawbone, LOL. All Fraser have to do is poke this man with his index finger and he will drop like a flapping fish out of water. This guy can't beat a fly much less punch someone in the jawbone. He reminds me of Urkell the geek, hehehehe, did I do thattt.
  • belonger (10/11/2016, 18:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI HoA Championship fight. Julian Joe Fraser vs. Hubert Butty O'Neal in the HoA who will win.
  • schupes (11/11/2016, 01:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I see why VG took so long to elect his man.. Utter waste!!!
  • We the people, VG (11/11/2016, 08:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    O'Neal, You're fired. Security will escort you to the front door.
  • Well Well (11/11/2016, 15:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    O'neal was a gangsta back in the day?
    leave the gangster-ism there-set an example for the youths-here acting like a big OLD fool
  • Charley Rose (17/11/2016, 09:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a disappointment. I think the NDP needs to educate Dr. O'Neal on the political process, rather than allowing him to embarrass himself. If he had known better, he would have realized that Hon. Fraser is the opposition leader for the entire country and he could go into any district once he extends a courtesy to the respective District representative. Dr. O'Neal needs to avail himself and visit the district more often. He comes like Nicodemus at nights. During that time he cannot accomplish much. If he knows that he had wanted to be in politics then he should have fixed his priority. I will not got to his office because when he was looking for votes he came to the people's house. Now he is asking people to come to him.


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