Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Shaina M. Smith sees 1st District as rundown

- but also sees potential for growth in a number of areas
National Democratic Party (NDP) pick for the First District Shaina M. Smith last night May 12, 2015 rallied the residents of the district for their support come election day June 8, 2015 saying that there is much that needs fixing and that she is the one to do it. Photo: VINO
Some of the supporters of the party in attendance. Photo: VINO
Some of the supporters of the party in attendance. Photo: VINO
Another section of the audience at the meeting. Photo: VINO
Another section of the audience at the meeting. Photo: VINO
Members of the NDP on stage during the meeting. Photo: VINO
Members of the NDP on stage during the meeting. Photo: VINO
CAPOONS BAY, Tortola, VI – The National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for the First District, Shaina M. Smith, last night May 12, 2015 rallied the residents of the district for their support come election day June 8, 2015 saying that there is much that needs fixing and that she is the one to do it.

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”

  • ccc (13/05/2015, 08:26) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    Dean on arrival....
  • xxxxxxxx (13/05/2015, 08:29) Like (35) Dislike (11) Reply

    so if tis run down her wicked r@$$ NDP had over three years to fix it...did they do anything?

    • yes (13/05/2015, 08:49) Like (7) Dislike (40) Reply
      Dont be an Jack, your districit rep. left it so, an instead of Fahie doing the work for his people, he babysitting Walwyn, just because hes in his seat of education...............who e hut, e hut!! bam bamm
  • Realist (13/05/2015, 08:53) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    This cartoon is hillarious!
  • b arnold (13/05/2015, 09:02) Like (26) Dislike (10) Reply
    and they call me a traitor, she sold out p.e.p for the ndp's money
  • Hmmmm (13/05/2015, 09:29) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
    Let Shaina go sit down she need to go back to her party what she leave go way girl
  • Western girl (13/05/2015, 09:35) Like (27) Dislike (13) Reply
    Loser please don't waste your time we are not going to let you beat our loving vip we are vip to the bone
    Stop your nonsense
  • SKA (13/05/2015, 09:50) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    It run down? But NDP at large ELECTED member of the house lives in the 1st. So Archie, who had the government and is an At large rep, aint do JACK, but yah'll trying to convince ppl that you will do? Go have a seat.
    • @SKA (14/05/2015, 10:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      When archie was trying to do some stuff for the district andrew complain that he isnt consulting him. Secondly andrew gets 125 grand a year to do works in his district ask him where it went. Ask him why when he was in power he let his government use the district as a dumping ground for dirt and to this day is still there till ground works lay claim to it. using it for free as planting soil. U don't live in the district don't talk about it
  • tell it like it is (13/05/2015, 10:00) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Now sister......I really thought you would come with new ideas and initiatives. Hon. Fahie has been talking about those things already. If,if,if,if if..........you win,will the NDP now come through and hear our cry? That means that they are as corrupt as we say they are. SIS EILEEN....SEEK GOD. IT'S NOT TOO LATE. HON. FAHIE and the entire VIP team...we are praying for you.
  • 911 (13/05/2015, 10:11) Like (56) Dislike (0) Reply
    she is not even in Preston's class let alone Andrew Fahie...
    • l (13/05/2015, 12:17) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      True. At least Preston has his own ideas.
      • dog (13/05/2015, 21:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        I am worried that Preston and Andrew will split the vote and she will get in.

        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.
  • GTFOH (13/05/2015, 10:37) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Shaina ran for office in 2011. The Premier who also happens to be her cousin didn't think that she was worthy of being elected. He didn't even endorse her then but now because she is running for NDP people should think that she is now qualified. She insulted the NDP in 2011 now because they gave her a contract she sold her soul for some paper.
    • Yes (13/05/2015, 11:20) Like (12) Dislike (18) Reply
      How will he endorse her and she was running against him? He didn't say anything negative towards her either. Shaina was always an NDP at heart, she just found the courage now to make it known.
  • NDP heckler (13/05/2015, 11:22) Like (7) Dislike (17) Reply
    I can see defeat marked on those NDP faces>>>They looking so depressed>>>LOL
  • sell out/traitor (13/05/2015, 11:28) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is the same delilah who betrayed sampson.
  • cay (13/05/2015, 12:09) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    look at the body language of the NDP at large they have conceeded defeat!
  • College Student (13/05/2015, 12:14) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    How is the 1st District run down? I am not a supporter of either VIP nor NDP and i find that comment to be an insult to the people of the 1st district.... Down there is the prettiest district on Tortola...HELLO!!!!!
    • Spirits (13/05/2015, 13:36) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Has she been to the 7th district?
    • dog (13/05/2015, 21:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is the prettiest precisely because it is more natural yet productive. But services could be fixed yes. But we don't need lots of new development NDP-style. It would ruin the very nature of the place. Visitors love it.
  • Plank (13/05/2015, 12:44) Like (16) Dislike (9) Reply
    Shaina don't take them on. Take courage--hang--in. Next election will be your turn for sure. you are a good girl, with good vision--You understands the issues and you have the solutions . take courage.. hang -in
  • David (13/05/2015, 13:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms. Smith does realize that the NDP, the party she said needed to go a few short months back but now willing represents, has been in charge for the last 4 years, right? Please tell me she understands her contradiction. Not that Mr. Fahie and the VIP aren't to blame as well, but this is rather disingenuous.
  • wize up (13/05/2015, 14:07) Like (4) Dislike (20) Reply
    Stop the talk and vote NDP!!!!! what you have to loose
    • big woman (13/05/2015, 17:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Did mean vote ndp out(
    • dog (13/05/2015, 21:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      how about sense of place, history, heritage, over-crowding with cruise ships (complete with mickey mouse) benefiting only a few, lack of transparency, more building building building and rubbing elbows with the rich and famous on VG. building a bigger airport just for them. And all the while, not knowing about its own finances.
  • In Ah me pants (13/05/2015, 14:21) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have listened to the young lady last night. I can say that she is an intelligent person but my, my, her pronunciation is bad
  • LIAR!!! (13/05/2015, 14:21) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Shaina where were you for the las 16 years? What recommendationscontribution were you bringing forward? Tell me, nd when have you ever took an active role in our community. I volunteer my services to the first district in more way than one and I have
    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!
  • Liane (13/05/2015, 15:26) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    The turn out seemed poor. Diehdra Potter so nice to see you in the photo!!
  • Yes (13/05/2015, 17:46) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    At NEW LIFE trying to get a life or trying to be somebody's wife???
  • BRACKADAM! (13/05/2015, 17:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    My increment in Shaina consultant bank account... Gurl Gwey... In a ah land far far ah wey!!!... If you can change the head of BVIC my whole village will garantee your seat and a cushion to go along with it.... Lol!
  • IT HAS BECOME A P.O.P.P.Y.S.H.O.W (14/05/2015, 11:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    V.I.P., N.D.P., P.E.P., P.P.A., U.P.P. and even the INDIPENDS, I am sick of all of you just talking P.I.S.S.Y. P.O.L.I.T.I.C.S. and looking P.O.W.E.R. I don’t see any solid P.L.A.N.S ….N.O.T. .O.N.E. And your overnight one to two page points you all call your platforms will not fool the P.E.O.P.L.E. There is no P.A.T.R.I.O.T.I.S.M. in any of you. Voting has become very P.A.I.N.F.U.L. for some of us and we won’t see P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. in this country until we become P.A.T.R.I.O.T.I.C.
  • Big-D (19/05/2015, 01:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shainet how could say that Carrot Bay is run down you are a smart young lady I knew you didn't went to say it like that. Andrew haven't done any thing. not because his party lost he was elected back in and he get money for his disterc so he could have done anything for his distric The Gov.t needs to stop giving all those distric REP money. they are all so corrupt but in the BVI high official don't go to jail for being corrupt. Since it is us currency maybe Federal Gov.t and the IRS needs to come and fix it.and put the corrupt behind bars England wast of tome. Some of you may not like some of what I say but its the truth face it.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.