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Premier Smith throws angry words @ public in 2015 Budget Address!

-Claims that we are better off than we were three years ago, but facts shows otherwise according to Hon. Julian Fraser RA
While the people of the Virgin Islands were looking for a message of hope, new ideas, improvement in their quality of life and relief from their personal financial hardship along with ways to raise their standard of living Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith used the opportunity to make threats and throw insults at the public. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Julian Fraser in his address on November 12, 2104 said, “after three years of a National Democratic Party (NDP) Government led by Dr. the Honorable D. Orlando Smith, who has been telling you the economy is robust and that all is well. I ask you the people, is that the case?” Photo: VINO
Hon Julian Fraser in his address on November 12, 2104 said, “after three years of a National Democratic Party (NDP) Government led by Dr. the Honorable D. Orlando Smith, who has been telling you the economy is robust and that all is well. I ask you the people, is that the case?” Photo: VINO
Hon Fraser told the Virgin Islands people in his National Address of last week, that the economy is not booming, “when you visit places like the Stickett in Long Look, Scatliffe Alley in Road Town, parts of Purcell, Little Apple Bay, Baugher's Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Huntums Gut, Bell View and Parham Town.” “For what will you discover?” Hon Fraser asked. “You will witness too many of our young people, without jobs or proper education, sitting around all day in hopeless despair”. Photo: VINO
Hon Fraser told the Virgin Islands people in his National Address of last week, that the economy is not booming, “when you visit places like the Stickett in Long Look, Scatliffe Alley in Road Town, parts of Purcell, Little Apple Bay, Baugher's Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Huntums Gut, Bell View and Parham Town.” “For what will you discover?” Hon Fraser asked. “You will witness too many of our young people, without jobs or proper education, sitting around all day in hopeless despair”. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - While the people of the Virgin Islands were looking for a message of hope, new ideas, improvement in their quality of life and relief from their personal financial hardship along with ways to raise their standard of living Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith used the opportunity to make threats and throw insults at the public.

It was at the time of his 2015 Budget Address delivered at the Second Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly on November 17, 2014.

Fighting words to public

While it’s long established that the National Democratic Party (NDP) will be remembered for its hostility to freedom of speech and the press and bringing and passing a Bill in Parliament to censor the media and put journalists in jail it seems like Premier Smith has now turned on the public.

Honourable Smith in lashing out at the public’s right to speak out against his administration claimed that his Government's accomplishments were made “under a torrent of abuse, trumped up and unfair criticisms, misleading statements, deliberate attempts to undermine our hard work and a constant manipulation and misrepresentation of the facts”.

While Hon Smith did not name names, many residents interpret those words as insults and a Premier who is angry with the citizens for disagreeing with his policy direction.

Dr. Smith claims we are better off!! Hon Fraser disagrees

In his hour long address to the Territory the Premier and Minister of Finance asked the residents, “are we better off today than we were just over three years ago?”

He went on to ask, “Is the BVI a better place to live, work and do business than it was three (3) years ago? Are the affairs of the Territory better managed than they were three (3) years ago?”

The NDP Leader who is also serving as the second Primier and Minister of Finance in answering his own question said, “Madam Speaker, clearly the answer to these questions, is a resounding, YES!”

However, in a National Address to the public aired on November 12, 2014 by Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman Honourable Julian Fraser RA, he articulated a different reality.

Hon Fraser said, “after three years of a National Democratic Party (NDP) Government led by Dr. the Honorable D. Orlando Smith, who has been telling you the economy is robust and that all is well. I ask you the people, is that the case?”

Today, according to Hon Fraser “record numbers of homes and vehicles are being repossessed. Parents have to work multiple jobs in order to provide for their families”.

The VIP Party Boss made clear that, “since the NDP became the government, residents are having a hard time paying their mortgages. Most of our young people have no hope of affording their own home”.

“Our young people are facing a future of hardship. But the NDP continues to tell us the economy is booming, with resorts, hotels, and marinas, laying off scores of people each month, even as trust companies downsize and relocate,” Fraser told the public.

The economy is not booming-Fraser

Despite Premier Smith believing that we are better off than we were three years ago and all is well, Hon Fraser believes the reality on the ground is different. He told the Virgin Islands people in his National Address of last week, that the economy is not booming, “when you visit places like the Stickett in Long Look, Scatliffe Alley in Road Town, parts of Purcell, Little Apple Bay, Baugher's Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Huntums Gut, Bell View and Parham Town.”

“For what will you discover?” Hon Fraser asked. “You will witness too many of our young people, without jobs or proper education, sitting around all day in hopeless despair”.

“This is very painful to me and is a social tragedy,” Fraser told residents.

“Add to this the fact that too many of our youth leave colleges and universities each year and return home with no career prospects,” he pointed out.

“This is certainly not good for the country,” said the Third District Representative.

The Third Chairman of the 42 year old Virgin Islands Party said, “for an economy to prosper, it must above all else, possess a prosperous middle class, and it must provide a route for anyone to enter the middle class, in order to generate opportunities for everyone, not just the fortunate few!”

44 Responses to “Premier Smith throws angry words @ public in 2015 Budget Address!”

  • xxxxxxxx (18/11/2014, 08:51) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    who vex vex but we going speak out..who tis hurt tis hurt
    • Well Well (18/11/2014, 13:36) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      Anyone who believes that they can intimidate the public or the media, especially this NDP gang, is in for a very rude awakening.
  • wow (18/11/2014, 08:56) Like (16) Dislike (18) Reply
    Dr. Smith is just nothing but a JOKE to me. Not a next one of my votes thou!
    • speech writer (18/11/2014, 13:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mr. Smith words are tragic, but, very sadly, not surprising.
  • Yes (18/11/2014, 08:57) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    “under a torrent of abuse, trumped up and unfair criticisms, misleading statements, deliberate attempts to undermine our hard work and a constant manipulation and misrepresentation of the facts”. chickens coming home to roost

  • ccc (18/11/2014, 09:25) Like (20) Dislike (21) Reply
    I trust fraser over olando
  • David (18/11/2014, 10:00) Like (13) Dislike (13) Reply
    When your national address is focused on tearing down others or blaming freedom of speech, then there truly is no leadership or vision. And if the VIP isn't offering clear solutions either then it is hard for anyone to understand how they deserve to be returned to power.
  • wise up (18/11/2014, 10:04) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Why when people get into authority they refuse to come out of their bubble to feel the real pain of the people on the ground?

    That is why these politicians with their lobbyists fail all the time. They work for the rich and continue to scorn the poor who actually vote for them.

    No I am wise up and not wize up who can't even spell.
    • Foolish (18/11/2014, 11:35) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
      What poor are you talking about? BVI have poor people? There is a difference between having things harder than usual and being 'poor'. These buzz words are put out there to confuse people and play on their minds. There are no poor people. There are some people who are struggling to make ends meet, but that doesn't make them poor. Further, not everybody can own their own business so employment is key. If GOvernment does not have a good relationship with the business community and investors, aka the evil rich, then how can life be made better for the poor? You want Government to get the Trust Companies, Hotels, Law Firms etc. to hire you then in the same breath you telling Government don't parlay with those people because they're evil? WTF do you guys really want in life?
      • @ Foolish (18/11/2014, 17:32) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
        You are typical of the NDP's spin- where are you living? There is poverty everywhere in the BVI-
  • stop joking (18/11/2014, 10:06) Like (15) Dislike (10) Reply
    He mean things better off for he and he white people and mark supermarket. What a set.
  • cay (18/11/2014, 10:15) Like (20) Dislike (6) Reply
    Leave dr smith we will deal with him next election
  • Pissed (18/11/2014, 10:53) Like (20) Dislike (7) Reply
    Hmmm grew a pair did we now...Smith I beg you pls to have a seat, you know what have several seats. You sit around with your mouth shut while your ministers wreaking havoc in this country. You do nothing, we hear nothing from you & now you want to cetch attitude with the public for not agreeing with your BS? What I want to really type I guarantee you VINO won't publish it. How dare you!! How #$*%@ dare you lash out at us the same ppl who put your behind in office & gave you the cushy job you have...how dare you! If anybody suppose to be lashing out it's us the public. We voted you & those otr clowns in to do a job & the truth is ya'll failing!! What happen the truth hurts? Ya'll want to paint a picture to the rest of the world that we soooo squeaky clean well to flipping bad, if you can't handle the heat get out the kitchen. We're hurting, we're tired, we're angry, we're frustrated, we're sick & fed up of you & your ministers & how the affairs of the country running. Talking froth bout you lashing out at us...are you for real?? you must be lost your damn mind. You know what don't worry smithy boy your day & all your minister's days of reckoning on the horizon.
    • to p..sed (18/11/2014, 13:39) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply

      Man I wish I could 'like' your comments a 1000 times.

    • Lmao! (18/11/2014, 14:42) Like (12) Dislike (7) Reply
      So you read the headline and then got your period one time, then posted? Ok, I understand.
  • shaw (18/11/2014, 11:35) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    the NDP's power is coming from the development of resorts, hotels, marinas and promises of cruise ships and airport- all catering to the elite. If there was real awareness- the ferries would be fixed for everyone, steady electricity, water, fix the sewage dumping into the ocean, education, etc. A society only works if the basics are addressed first. Then you build on that for sustainable economy. But how can you woo 4000 passengers a day when basic infrastructure can't accommodate them? Islands are finite. there is limited room, space, land. yes, and jobs. We are not competing with Hong Kong. and there may NEVER be enough jobs totally to take care of everyone. It's impossible and the government is the biggest and most wasteful employer. Ignoring concerns will not lead to a content population. That includes questions about the Cruise ship project and actual need for an expensive expanded airport which has already gotten the stamp of approval from a new and uninformed governor.

    If one person tells you you have a tail, you can blow them off. BUT if many people tell you you have a tail, you better look around...
    • The Prophet (18/11/2014, 15:10) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Shaw, you hit the nail on the head. Without a solid and well maintained infrastructure, no government will be successful in their expansion attempts. They can spend and spend and spend, but they will fail every time if all BASIC needs are not addressed.

      I sometimes wonder where the guaranteed annual 425,000 cruise ship arrivals are going to find enough toilet paper to go around, let alone the public facilities available for their use? We have a population of about 16,000 people on Tortola. How many public washrooms are there? Does government expect restaurants and hotels to extend a welcome hand to cruise ship passengers, (most of whom don't spend a dime with them) to use their facilities?

      Some of the bigger cruise ships owned by Disney and Norwegian Cruise Lines hold upwards of 5,000 to 6,000 people. How can our infrastructure accommodate all those people on a regular basis? What will the increase in costs be to maintain our already stressed roads? What did the government allocate for roads in the 2015 budget and will it be sufficient?

      Our roads are horrendous now and the government can't seem to keep up with the repairs needed as it is. Just imagine what it will be like after two or three years of anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 or possibly more people using the roads on a regular basis.

      Just as it will cost 40 million dollars a year to run the hospital, where is that money going to come from?

      The Premier can be as annoyed as he wishes claiming he has had to deal with a "torrent of abuse", but for some of us, it is terrifying to think where we are headed under his leadership. I'm scared to death for my children and their future.
  • cay (18/11/2014, 11:37) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    When you have no love for the people you are always angry
    • tretretrete (18/11/2014, 13:33) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      I sit here, stunned and horrified at this savage attack on we the people of the BVI
  • Let the votes talk. (18/11/2014, 11:59) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    They sit and scheme how to fool the voters, beware people
    they are planning right now how to fool you. They expect you
    to forget thier foul actions by buttering you up close to
    election with appliances, groceries cash on the lo etc.

    Let them get Branson and Jarecki to vote for them, damn
    setta lap dogs!!
  • mary j (18/11/2014, 13:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Smith ans your speech wrtiers just remember Violence words begets violence wrods
    • just saying...... (18/11/2014, 13:51) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      It remains to be seen who wins. We are smug in our belief that this is a phase and reason will prevail, but there are many historical examples demonstrating that when the barbarians arrive at the gate, they in fact prevail.
  • Election 2016 (18/11/2014, 14:45) Like (14) Dislike (17) Reply

    NDP will win 10 seats next election. Remember you heard it here first. When people asked Fraser to apologize for the stop lights at the round about, he refused. When people told Fraser to reconsider Biwater, he refused. But now he cares about the people. Why? Because he asked you not to judge him by his past. The angry blogger above are upset because they didn't get what they wanted. To Shaw talking s..t about Resorts. VG for example would not be what it is today without investors so I don't now what emotional bullshit they're talking about. Shaw doesn't need anything and want the BVI remain as is for their benefit. They don't understand what locals feel.

    • @ election 2016 (18/11/2014, 15:25) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      I said that in 2011 about the vip ...boss ndp got three seats mark myron and dr pickering!!!!!
  • wize up (18/11/2014, 15:08) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    and the church said amen
  • Election 2016 (18/11/2014, 16:22) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    Don't believe me just watch.

    District 1 - Andrew
    District 2 - PEP (Alvin)
    District 3 - NDP (OJ)
    District 4 - NDP (Mark)
    District 5 - NDP (Delores) Tight, but she will win
    District 6 - NDP (Alvera)
    District 7 - NDP (Pickering)
    District 8 - NDP (Marlon)
    District 9 - NDP (Hubert - with Myron and the team help)

    At-Large:

    Myron - NDP
    Doc Smith - NDP
    Ronnie - NDP
    Toss up - (Archie a little weak. Depends on whether people vote full party)
    • Election 2016 (18/11/2014, 17:26) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
      District 1 VIP
      District 2 VIP
      District 3 VIP
      District 4 VIP
      District 5 VIP
      District 6 VIP
      District 7 NDP with a ?
      District 8 VIP
      District 9 VIP

      VIP wins 3 at large seats- Myron the one remaining NDP at large member
      Final result VIP 11 - NDP 2
      And Fraser has promised no one will be victimized
      • ha (18/11/2014, 20:01) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        VIP need candidates before you can make predictions. Election is a year away incase you didn't notice. Lol
      • W*F (19/11/2014, 18:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Pickering will not win the 7th district. We don't want to see his a$$s in Long Look.
    • I say so (18/11/2014, 22:54) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
      Hubert will win the 9th with strong support from Myron. Myron, give him that support.
  • voter (18/11/2014, 19:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    So only they must eat a food?
  • Shara Parlin (18/11/2014, 20:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    the steam is coming out of my head after with Dr. Smith said

  • big bird (18/11/2014, 23:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    cut dr smith some slact he was just reading what was given to him and he inadvertently mentioned the wrong words
  • W*F (19/11/2014, 19:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Politics has really changed the warm, soft spoken and wonderful guy I went to Secondary School with. He is speaking like he has gone off his rockers and needs some Psychological Therapy . I feel so sorry for this great human being who have slide off, and turn away from everything that is Right and Decent. He has joined the Rat Pack hook, line and sinker.
  • he need a new speech writer (20/11/2014, 22:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"..John F. Kennedy

  • trudy (20/11/2014, 22:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Government of the BVI is intellectually impotent, morally and spiritually bankrupt and scholastically sterile...the BVI is like a rotten spoil child that has grown into adult hood with no foundation, no structure, no order, no balance, no discipline, no values...(so what you expect)?...Oralando reamins angry with teh people
  • POPE (22/11/2014, 23:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    God bless the bvi


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