Julian Willock calls for new look @ representation of sister islands
In a pre-recorded message released to the public last evening March 28, 2018 Mr Julian Willock, a local businessman and former Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Communications and Works, stated: “Our sister islands of Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and Anegada continue to be ignored, and I am passionate to see this end.”
He said, “It is not right and must not continue, as they are an equal part of the Virgin Islands and that is why I proposed a Town Council, starting first with Virgin Gorda.”
Let’s look at other options - Willock
In another move in his quest to come to the political arena with solutions and not just criticism, Mr Willock who, said he will be contesting the 2019 general elections, further stated: “Following the next general election, a fresh look ought to be taken, as it relates to elected representation on our sister islands and whether a single representative for each of the three islands might be a better option.”
Currently, via the district system, one member represents Virgin Gorda and Anegada which is the Ninth District and one represents Jost van Dyke with other parts of Tortola as the Second District.
The people of the sister islands have long cried that they are forgotten and treated as second-class citizens. Mr Willock, who is expected to be running At-Large (Territorial), said to our newsroom: “once elected, the treatment of the sister islands will be a major part of my platform.”
Mr Julian Willock, political candidate, has said the sister islands of (from left) Jost van Dyke, Anegada and Virgin Gorda are an equal part of the Virgin Islands and is proposing a Town Council, starting first with Virgin Gorda. Photo: pininterest/whitebayvillas
We need revenue - Willock
Meanwhile, in the same speech, the young Virgin Islander called again on the government to address the issue of new revenues, as the Administration is about to place the country in debt with millions in loans to rebuild the public infrastructure following the destructive hurricanes of 2017.
“I want to shout again from the valley that while we rebuild and secure loans from local and international banking institutions, we must also come up with ways to find new revenue streams,” Mr Willock stated.
Mr Willock, who in his former public sector career also served as a Director of the Water and Sewerage Department and Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, reminded residents that “The hard truth is, we have lost some 30 percent of our population and 30 percent of our businesses, and defaulting on loans is not an option. I call yet again on this Administration to consider my four bold new revenue initiatives which can also help to kick-start the local economy, from small manufacturing on the sister islands to a Citizen by Investment Programme, and a National Lottery system among others.”
He also announced that he will be holding a press conference to officially declare his run in the next British Overseas Territory of the Virgin Islands election constitutionally due by early 2019.
Mr Willock holds a Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Certificate in Public Administration from the University of the West Indies.
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19 Responses to “Julian Willock calls for new look @ representation of sister islands”
Give credit where it is duue
A vote for julian willock IS A VOTE FOR WE
Moreover, what the sister islands needs is more effective representation; they should not be treated as outposts and should commensurately get their fair share of resources and service delivery. The Premier, Deputy Premier, district representative and at large members can ensure this happens. Additionally, local councils can be established on the 3 largest sister islands. In regards to Tortola, some of the current 8 districts can be combined. For example, the 7th (Long Look) and 8th (East End) districts can be combined. Other districts can be looked at. Further, it can have part time local/village councils. Will changes be welcome?
Resistance to change is the norm. Frederick Douglass says: Power concedes nothing without demand. It never did and it never will.” Translation. People with power does not normally give up power; the govern must normally demand it. Should we expect politicians to embrace reducing, not increasing, the number of districts and at large members?
Pop Stevens
Cindy Rosan whatever her name is these are 3 that will be appearing soon on a card for you all to follow, probably Mitch will do the switch also,
Willock is a breath of fresh air