It pays to lose an election in the VI!
The first time legislators, who all failed to hold their seats in the House of Assembly (HOA), were Irene Penn-O’Neal, Keith Flax, Vincent Scatliffe, Elvis Harrigan, Dancia Penn-Sallah and Vernon Malone.
When Virgin Islands News Online contacted Financial Secretary Neil Smith for a confirmation on the gratuity payment and whether it was handed out to the former legislators, he did not clearly confirm this but stated that the Pension Act under which Legislators are paid provides for a gratuitous package of up to one year's salary that may be paid to one term legislators.
He further stated, as far as he knows, it does not include allowances.
Meanwhile, efforts to also contact the former legislators on the matter was also futile.
The salary of a member of HOA who is not a Minister is some $36,000 a year but with the addition of telephone, housing and other allowances, the total package reportedly reaches somewhere in the vicinity of over $90,000 a year.
All the Territorial At Large Representatives on the Virgin Islands Party slate, who were also first term Legislators, lost their seats at the November 2011 General Elections. They were Irene Penn-O'Neal, Keith Flax and Vernon Malone.
Dr. Vincent Scatliffe lost his seat to 4th District Representative and Minister for Communications and Works Mark Vanterpool while Dancia Penn-Sallah, who served as Deputy Premier, Minister for Health and Social Development and 8th District Representative lost her first term seat to Marlon Penn.
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