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Members of HOA do see hope, joy & continued peace in VI - Hon. Vanterpool

- Hopes for peace to reign this xmas season in Middle East
It was the annual Christmas tree lighting at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza last evening Saturday, November 24, 2012, however, the focus was not only on the Virgin Islands as Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool (inset) also stopped to reflect on the turmoil across the world, including in the Middle East. “We want to wish them well in their time of disturbance, we want to hope for them peace and joy in this world,” the Minister stated in front of a crowd of more than two hundred persons. Photo: VINO
Acting Governor V. Inez Archibald switches on the lights for the Christmas tree at Sir Olva Georges Plaza. Photo: VINO
Acting Governor V. Inez Archibald switches on the lights for the Christmas tree at Sir Olva Georges Plaza. Photo: VINO
Students of the Eselyn Henley Richez Learning Centre performing
Students of the Eselyn Henley Richez Learning Centre performing "We wish you a Merry, Merry Christmas". Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – It was the annual Christmas tree lighting at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza last evening Saturday, November 24, 2012, however, the focus was not only on the Virgin Islands as Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool also stopped to reflect on the turmoil across the world, including in the Middle East.

Hon. Vanterpool said all across the world countries are going through difficult times and noted that in the past week there has been news of turmoil over the Middle East and was thankful that a truce was made and hopes it will be a lasting truce.

“We want to wish them well in their time of disturbance, we want to hope for them peace and joy in this world,” the Minister stated in front of a crowd of more than two hundred persons.

Meanwhile, this is the 40th year for the tree lighting ceremony, which has been a collaborative effort between the Leo and Lion clubs of Tortola.

Hon. Vanterpool, who is also the 4th district representative, said he has attended the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony many times in the past including in the capacity as District Representative, and joked that he had taken a four-year vacation and is now back.

“It’s always a pleasure to be gathered in this spirit, the spirit of Christmas, the spirit when we can reflect, where we can stop for a moment when we are shopping, when we are enjoying the various amenities of Christmas and reflect on why we are celebrating Christmas as it is a time when our lord and saviour Jesus Christ came into this world to bring us hope, joy and peace.”

The Minister for Communications and Works also noted that all thirteen members of the House of Assembly (HOA), along with the Hon. Speaker, wished all a Christmas of hope, joy and peace.

“I would take the liberty to say that we want to wish you and encourage you and let you know that as a group in this spirit of hope, joy and peace in the Virgin Islands, we as a group do see hope, we do see joy and we do look forward to continued peace here in the Virgin Islands. As a Government, during this Christmas time we too hope for all the citizens in the Territory, and even though we may look bleak at times and things may be rough and tough for many of us, we are struggling and working hard to ensure that we can make life better for the citizens of the Virgin Islands.”

He said members of the HOA were not sitting still until they can find every way possible to make life in the Virgin Islands better.

President of Lions Club Jasmine L. Bass reminded persons in attendance that the Lions Club of Tortola is celebrating its 40th anniversary “and as we celebrate 40 successful years of serving the Virgin Islands we are here once again to bright up the community starting with the annual Christmas tree light-up.”

She also urged persons not to be 'blind-sighted' by the commercial aspect of Christmas but to remember the true significance of the season- the birth of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

The colourful lights on the towering Christmas tree were then switched on by Acting Governor V. Inez Archibald.

Spectators were then treated to performances by students of the Eselyn Henley Richez Learning Centre, Althea Scatliffe Primary School and HLSCC Chorale among other performers.

20 Responses to “Members of HOA do see hope, joy & continued peace in VI - Hon. Vanterpool”

  • Hope for all? (25/11/2012, 12:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What kind of hope are you offering to the many persons, many of them nowhere close to retirement age, who your group has taken out of a job? How do you think that they and and their extended families feel? Pause for a while and consider what kind of christmas they are having. Check yourselves. Loads of prayers and tears are going to the Supreme Father every day.
    • civil servant (25/11/2012, 12:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      for real and the wicked lady who need to retire and waaaaaaaay over 60 still around causing trouble and headache for civil servants...
    • open wide (25/11/2012, 12:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mark, Mark, Mark and the NDP ... your political capital has all been spent...we have no hope as you are building a class society with some have-your supporters and the rest of us will have to eat the leaves off the xmas tree!
    • press secretary (25/11/2012, 12:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      since when Mark became the poster child and spokesman for all 13 members of the House?
      • road town (25/11/2012, 18:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        The old people always say the when you have cocoa in the sun, you always looking for rain .... eh Mark!!!
    • Voter (25/11/2012, 14:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dear NDP

      At least we know their side is working for a select few of their supporters. What about the rest of us who supported you? and the rest of the country?

      The marginalised will surely speak loud and clear next elections if you don't change your narrow-minded victimising ways. They falling into the same trap as last time.

      Former NDP Supporter
      • cat & rat (25/11/2012, 19:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        People are way too alert now to be fooled by politicians....trust I
        • @@@@@@ (27/11/2012, 18:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Haven't you ever heard of "Above the Law"? some of them are acting this way after just one year!!!
      • END IS NEAR (25/11/2012, 23:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE has been replaced with empty rhetoric of HYPOCRISY and DOUBLE STANDARDS.
  • wet well (25/11/2012, 12:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    did not even remember this as I did not heard much about it this year...
  • persia (25/11/2012, 12:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Vanterpool you can say what you want nobody believes a word!
  • Boo (25/11/2012, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Same as last time when he say we going for independence.
  • Fed up (26/11/2012, 12:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    People worked hard on this program, and all you twisted folk and can do is come on here and turn the event into a nasty political bashing session. Elections are over already, get over yourselves and move on. Congratulations to the LIONS Club for a job well done. The tree is beautiful.
  • GoonSquad (26/11/2012, 21:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How this became political? Every year the repreentative of the 4th district speaks at the lightning of the Christmas tree..why should it be any different with Mark? If he did not show up to say anything, you same blogers would be on here with negativity blah...Allu does make me sick..but former NDP supporter..give me a beak with that line...go ahead then and change the government again..see where our financial services will end up. It's already going down hill, change government and we can kiss 3/4 of our income good bye. Let me see who some of you will call on to get financial assistance
    • back @ GoonSquad (27/11/2012, 18:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ha ha who are you kidding??? After all the nasty lies you all spread on the VIP and Fraser ayo now with your crocodile tears about Mark speak every year...ayo better scatter with you hypocrite blog!! We now laughing at some of you self fish and greedy crooks. May God have mercy on my BVI when you all done with it after 4 years
      • GoonSquad (27/11/2012, 22:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You soooo tupid...why don't you read and understand you fool...did I say Mark speaks to everyone? I said the 4th disrict representative normally speak at this event!! Who was more selfish and greedy than VIP government and all their followers like you!! Crocodile tears..Ha Ha, pleeassseee..sounds more like what you are shedding righ now...


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