Too much talk & no action – NDP’s Aaron F. Parillon
Today, the race for the Third District has two stronger contenders, the first is Mrs Arlene L. Smith-Thompson on her platform, which takes a Christian outlook by offering a voice for women and children issues while on the other hand another young man, Mr Aaron F. Parillon is contesting the seat.
In past elections, Hon Fraser ran under the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) slate, the party he quit after he lost the post of Party Chairman during their internal elections.
He has since formed his own political party, Progressives United (PU) and Mrs Smith-Thompson has filled the slot on the VIP ticket for the District 3 seat, meanwhile Parillon is now where Mr Smith was on the National Democratic Party (NDP 1) ticket.
Time to take Action – Parillon
Parillon launched his campaign in the Third District on Saturday, January 26, 2019, where he said, “There has been too much talk and it’s time to take action,” as he rolled out his plans for the district.
He spoke of the importance of youth involvement in the decision-making area of the country while noting that young people have been and are involved in the development of the territory.
According to Parillon, people are nervous and are concerned that their dreams may not be realized, “I am here to tell you tonight that the light of your hope, your aspirations, your ambitions may not be vanquished.”
He said for the past eight years he was not sitting on the sideline doing nothing but was working with Mr Kevin O. J. Smith, “We jointly pursued the dream of changing this district. Tonight I declare to you, that dream is still alive.”
Youths See and Hear
According to Parillon, youths are more observing than persons believe. “I am you and I am courageous and I am reminded by my elders, God call young men because we are strong.”
“I have the strength to restore this community, I have the strength to fight for this country, I have the strength to empower the youths, I have the strength to take care of our elders who give so much so Aaron can stand here tonight and fight,” he said while pledging to restore harmony and bring better education and health.
Among other things he vows to work on for the Third District include a museum, “We [are] losing our heritage, we are losing our values, we are losing the things that made us who we are,” he said.
Over its 8-year rule, the Dr Smith led NDP Government has been accused of blatant corruption and breaking promises in addition to lacking transparency and accountability. Throughout the elections seasons, the members of its 2019 slate have all been campaigning on promises to do better under the leadership of Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL).
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
22 Responses to “Too much talk & no action – NDP’s Aaron F. Parillon ”
Thumbs down if you wan Aaron Parillon win D3
However, thus far there 4 political parties on the campaign trail, ie, the encumbent NDP, VIP, PU and PVIM; a few candidates have announced an independent run. Nonetheless, the campaigning to date IMO have mostly include more poetry than prose (former NY Governor Mario Cuomo is credited the phrase “ campaign in poetry and govern in prose). Poetry is about sweet sounding plans of action; whereas, prose is outlying specific actions, timeline for those actions, how they will be paid for, what is the opportunity cost, the priority.......etc. On the trail, there are a myriad of promises but the questions are, what will be the delivery rate of all these promises?
Moreover, the BVI has a 13-member unicameral HOA (4 At Large, 9 Districts). Districts do not raise and control their own revenue streams and depends on funding from the central government. District members have to work in the HOA and with government to bring a commensurate share of available resources to their districts. District voters have important task of voting for the person who they think can best represent them in the HOA. Further, a district member may be able to motivate private sector businesses to locate to a district. I’m nuts so here is a wacky idea for districts. In order to get some things done in their districts, districts can advocate for changes for a district to tax itself to construct specific project(s). Additionally, any revenue/taxes resulting from these projects will be earmarked for the district. Such a plan will have a sunset clause. The plan can be called: Tax Increment Project (TIP). The race is on. Vote.