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Kevin C. Smith out of Digicel! In on the campaign trail!

- The National Democratic Party Candidate for the 3rd District's last day on the job @ Digicel is Tuesday March 31, 2015
Kevin C. Smith aka 'OJ' has resigned from his post as Commercial and Operations Director at Digicel (BVI) for a second attempt at becoming the Representative for the Third District currently occupied by longtime legislator and Virgin Islands Party Chairman Hon Julian Fraser RA aka 'The Liberator'. Photo: VINO/File
Incumbent Representative for the Third District and Virgin Islands Party Chairman Hon Julian Fraser RA defeated Mr Kevin C. Smith in a 613 to 557 count in the 2011 general elections. Photo: VINO/File
Incumbent Representative for the Third District and Virgin Islands Party Chairman Hon Julian Fraser RA defeated Mr Kevin C. Smith in a 613 to 557 count in the 2011 general elections. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Some sixteen months after assuming the position of Commercial and Operations Director of Digicel (BVI), Virgin Islands News Online can confirm that the last day on the job for Mr Kevin C. Smith aka 'OJ' is Tuesday March 31, 2015.

He has resigned from his post and it’s unclear if the departure was amicable. While this news site had this information some three months ago, it was also confirmed late last week by Digicel (BVI) Chief Executive Officer Mr Conor Looney‎.

Mr Looney told our news room in an exclusive interview that "Mr Smith has played a key role in Digicel over the last 16 months. He has had a positive impact on Digicel’s team and business…… Digicel wishes Kevin every success in the future," added Mr Looney.

Prior to taking up the position at Digicel, Mr Smith held the position of ‎Acting Director of the Trade and Consumer Affairs Department with the Government of the Virgin Islands, and raked in a government consultancy after losing the election in 2011.

Back on the campaign with NDP

According to this news site's senior sources within the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), Mr Smith will be back on the slate as the NDP Third District candidate. This was confirmed after a series of meetings and negotiations with Mr Smith. At one point there was even a debate about Mr Smith going At-large, according to our sources.

Mr Smith first ran in 2011 against the incumbent Third District Representative and veteran Legislator Hon Julian Fraser RA (1999-current).

While it was a good challenge in an anti- incumbent year, Hon Fraser defeated Mr Smith in a 613 to 557 count.   

Mr Smith will be back at it again trying to unseat the now Virgin Islands Party Chairman and Premier in waiting- Hon Fraser. There is expected to be about one or two other candidates beside Hon Fraser and Smith in the Third District race, according to information reaching our news room.

Mr Smith has started canvassing the Third District and is leaning on the NDP to help him get things done for the district, a political strategy the NDP has used for the past three years with the intention to sideline the duly elected Representatives.

NDP gearing up for election

In its continuing effort to have a full slate of 13 candidates for the upcoming general elections expected this year, the NDP has now filled 3 out of 4 open seats. Along with their 9 incumbents, they will have in the First District former People’s Patriotic Alliance (PPA) member Shaina M. Smith who had earlier this year told our news room she was not running with the NDP, Dr Hubert O’Neal who lost four times in the Ninth District, and Mr Smith who is now in the Third District.

The party is still debating its Second District candidate. The two names being debated so far are former candidate Claude O. Skelton Cline and Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull who has started to campaign.

According to public opinion, the NDP is very unpopular; however, the voters are yet to see a viable alternative, with no Virgin Islands Party and People’s Empowerment Party candidates announced as yet.

33 Responses to “Kevin C. Smith out of Digicel! In on the campaign trail!”

  • Holdon (30/03/2015, 08:31) Like (39) Dislike (10) Reply
    One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four let all the candidates go. David slew Goliath. Even the liberator can be slain. Good race.
  • Just saying... (30/03/2015, 08:51) Like (10) Dislike (22) Reply
    Licks again from fraser the liberator
  • qc (30/03/2015, 08:59) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    another dog fight yall
  • John doe (30/03/2015, 09:03) Like (23) Dislike (13) Reply
    OJ is very foolish to leave his good job. Licks! Licks!
  • Hmmmmm (30/03/2015, 09:05) Like (9) Dislike (12) Reply
    You mean NDP coming with a bunch of recycle candidate...OJ, Shana, and Hubert...well saw SMH
    • @Hummmmm (30/03/2015, 10:42) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
      And what does VIP have? Still there struggling. From who I hear they coming with they can go st down.
  • mother hen (30/03/2015, 09:10) Like (9) Dislike (15) Reply
    lord have mercy look licks for NDP this time around!

  • pat (30/03/2015, 09:17) Like (16) Dislike (12) Reply

    At the rate it is going I am not sure that the NDP will get any seats at all, but as bad and corrupt as are they are we still need to have an opposition VIP ALL THE WAY DO NOT LEAVE THEM WITH ANY
  • yellow (30/03/2015, 09:22) Like (16) Dislike (15) Reply
    Cousin Kevin you had a change if you stay far from the NDP their brand is toxic
  • 3rd district (30/03/2015, 09:33) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply

    We haven't seen since 2011.. We only see him at the sp@ni$h b@rs. We never see him at the district functions.

  • very concern (30/03/2015, 09:35) Like (20) Dislike (8) Reply
    When the VIP is going to declare their candidate I guess they still looking for candidate .
  • LMAOOOOO (30/03/2015, 09:46) Like (17) Dislike (49) Reply
    Look at the poor tired VIP blogs. Anybody thinking about joining VIP now will change their minds. NDP has a dream team, a solid team. VIP say they are for the youth but where are the youth? They already abandon their youth master so what else is coming who knows. NDP has a team anybody can rally behind. I guarantee that many VIP supporters are thinking twice and looking at what NDP will be offering. This is the first time that so many young people have been given a chance to run for elections, especially on the slate of a sitting Government, that speaks volumes. GOOOOO NDP!! Fraser must be shaking because I know OJ not a rookie this time and he will come out swinging hard.
  • city lights (30/03/2015, 10:15) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
    Oj doa again
  • xxxxxxxx (30/03/2015, 10:23) Like (34) Dislike (7) Reply

    Where is NDP going with this dead horse...he put on too much weight to beat the next Premier…plus the NDP hates the 3rd district
    • duffs bottom (30/03/2015, 11:30) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
      yea i saw him he needs two months of the gym ...fraser all the way
    • Oldhorse (31/03/2015, 07:12) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      And the liberator knees are cracking. He cant lift up his foot to run.
  • wize up (30/03/2015, 10:40) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    time will tell; don't mind the noise.
  • ImanI (30/03/2015, 11:03) Like (16) Dislike (8) Reply

    all of a sudden I see a man putting up family pics on face book page but they cannot fool us this time that they close with wifey and kids, him along with action man tried that last election but we all know the distance between these guys and wifey. Show how deceitful tem guys can be and should never be trusted. When you can use your wifey to try get power what else you won't do

  • OJMIA (30/03/2015, 12:05) Like (32) Dislike (3) Reply
    Where was OJ when they were having the proposal meetings for the 5 star hotel at Havers, Where was OJ for all the district meetings over the last several years? What is OJ's thoughts about how the district has been handled over the last several years? What has OJ done, contributed on any matter territory wide for the last several years? It is one thing to be qualified and capable of doing a job but if the interest and the love is not there it can never be successful.
  • part time (30/03/2015, 12:51) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    after almost four years i have not seen he so where the hell he going now ah strupppssss
  • GoonSquad (30/03/2015, 13:14) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    "the harder they come the harder they fall" let them come VIP ready bossie
  • voter (30/03/2015, 13:42) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    To hell with VIP and NDP we are going independent candidates.
  • i from here (30/03/2015, 17:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cock roach no business inna fowl fight, bcuz if any a dem win them ago nyam me wid them WICKEDNESS FROM ndp
  • zac (30/03/2015, 17:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Child exploitation? FRASER GOING BEAT HE BAD MEHSON
  • ReX FeRal (30/03/2015, 17:24) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    . They exploited the young man by puttin him up againsit a gaint like Fraser
  • virgin gorda (30/03/2015, 21:08) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Kevin cant come close Hon Julian fraser
  • sea cows bay massive (30/03/2015, 21:18) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hon Fraser the Liberator seat is confirmed for the next 8 yrs plus and there is nothing NDP and your little play mates can do about it, and that hurts u all so bad Hehehehehe
  • nanny (30/03/2015, 23:16) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wrong year for oj ndp must go
  • Jammy (31/03/2015, 09:27) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    All dem politican ve dem dirty secrets at least oj is educated and smart ,he love his people left oj alone kelvin do u thing .but mi a warn u cuz stay way from ndp blood toxic


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