Shaina M. Smith sees 1st District as rundown
She was speaking at a political meeting of the NDP at the Capoon’s Bay field, accompanied by almost all of the other district and territorial candidates contesting under that party. Smith is looking to be the first female representative of the district.
Rundown after 1995
“Blocked road drains, broken sea walls and a mountain of dirt blocking our sea view…my heart pains me because this is not the district I grew up in before 1995 that was immaculately kept and progressive,” she said.
She stated that when she looks around the district and she doesn’t see the presence of police and fire services, a reliable water supply, lifeguards on the beaches, restroom facilities at Smuggler’s Cove beach, a new ferry terminal at West End, a fisherman’s dock and fish market in Carrot Bay she is becoming alarmed.
“By all appearances the community is sending out an SOS – district representation needed,” she said.
The engineer also said when she looks around the district and sees nothing being done to represent the interest of over 50 small and medium sized businesses that provide jobs for persons inside and outside the district while contributing to the economy in tourism, agriculture and fishing, she wonders, “When did we go into this holding pattern where no major development has happened in 16 years?”
Smith said that being the kind of person she is, she cannot see something not working and do nothing about it, so she asked herself how is it she could contribute to fix this wayward state of affairs.
Public service experience key
Having worked in the public service for some eight years, Smith said she understood the mechanics of Government and how to get things done. She said too that she was inspired by Eighth District Representative Marlon A. Penn who, without a ministerial portfolio, has represented his district well.
Great potential
Smith told the gathering that she sees great potential in the western end of Tortola. “I see a community where the quality of life is top notch because public safety is first. We won’t have to worry about falling rocks going around the block during inclement weather because the road…is paved. Where guard rails are in place along the sea side and hill side roads and the sea walls are repaired and our roadsides are litter free and not overgrown with brush,” she said.
The NDP candidate highlighted the need for solar powered streetlights and sidewalks for the safety of pedestrians in the district. “I see a community that partners with government to maintain its community centres and recreational areas and make sure that they are clean and safe…we the community have to step up and do our part as the government continues to do theirs” said Smith.
She said she sees job opportunities for young men beyond bush-cutting contracts and sees them running a business to keep the place “as if somebody lives here.”
Flip-Flopper
Smith has been viewed by many political pundidts, however, as an opportunist and a flip-flopper. She had indicated to this news site in an exclusive interview that she was not going to join the National Democratic Party according to reports going around at the time.
The now NDP candidate had contested the 2011 General Elections as an At Large candidate under the People's Patriotic Alliance (PPA) but jumped ship to run with the NDP in the First District after the PPA failed to attract a team for the June 8, 2015 elections. She will be up against the incumbent Andrew A. Fahie of the Virgin Islands Party and Preston P. Stoutt who is contesting as an Independent candidate.
36 Responses to “Shaina M. Smith sees 1st District as rundown”
so if tis run down her wicked r@$$ NDP had over three years to fix it...did they do anything?
Stop your nonsense
Then she will bring big NDP-style development and not fix the basics or support agriculture, get the fire and police stations fixed. And she will probably want to develop Smugglers for the cruise ship passengers complete with vendors. People have been crying to keep parts of West End natural. The economics comes from charters and villa rentals which includes shopping, housekeeping, management, car rentals etc. There are many small businesses also involved. If she wants to put in a huge ferry dock with airport-like conveyor belts and mega yacht marinas in small Sopers hole, she better come around again. Her kind of development has to be watched closely.
I wouldn't mind if the ferry dock was moved to the intended spot in front of the police station, an leave Sopers for destination sailing and sports fishing as is being planned. We shouldn't have to depend on government to pick up trash either.
NEVER seen you or ever heard your name called. Have you given back to our community in any way, form or fashion? I witness Andrew Fahie all over his district and we were intelligent to realized that his hands were tied because his back because he is a member of the oppositon. The last major storm played havoc on our coast lines and our inteiors in the district. Some parts of the roads were undermined especially by Bomba,s and over Carrot Bay by the grave yard and to date nothig was done to coorect this situation. Is Andrew Fahie in the government? Nooooo, so what are you really saying? The S.O.S. that I sm sending out is to stop play Russian roulette with the lives of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts!