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UPDATE: 'We cannot support everyone' - Premier Smith

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith told reporters that the government supports activities that would increase tourism activities in the Territory. He said however, they have to look at its gravity and other factors before making a decision to assist financially. Photo: VINO
Information reaching Virgin Islands News Online is that the BVI Latino Poker Run Festival scheduled to be hosted next month has been postponed. Photo: bvilatinopokerrun
Information reaching Virgin Islands News Online is that the BVI Latino Poker Run Festival scheduled to be hosted next month has been postponed. Photo: bvilatinopokerrun
CEO of Virgin Islands Entertainment, Mr Devon U. Osborne, confirmed the latest development today, May 26, 2014 with this news site. Photo: VINO/File
CEO of Virgin Islands Entertainment, Mr Devon U. Osborne, confirmed the latest development today, May 26, 2014 with this news site. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “Government is not always in a position to give support to everyone who applies for financial support.”

This was the response given by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith when he was faced with the question of his NDP government throwing a black towel on the Latino Poker Run.

Premier was at the time fielding questions from reporters as he sat with them for one of his feedback press conferences held in the conference room at the Premier’s Office on May 29, 2014.

The activity was forced to be cancelled for this year due to the lack of financial support according to the organizers who had also cried shame on the local government body for their failure to support the event.

Premier Smith told reporters that the government supports activities that would increase tourism activities in the Territory. He said however, they have to look at its gravity and other factors before making a decision to assist financially.

The Hispanic community in the VI is said to be of a large population and rarely are there any activities that target them directly. The Latino Poker Run was seen as one that had the potential of pulling a very large Hispanic and English support but a signature of the VI embracing all cultures that makes up the Territory. 

See previous story published on May 26, 2014:

Latino Poker Run Fest postponed

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Information reaching Virgin Islands News Online is that the BVI Latino Poker Run Festival scheduled to be hosted next month has been postponed. 

CEO of Virgin Islands Entertainment, Mr Devon U. Osborne, confirmed the latest development today, May 26, 2014 with this news site.

According to Mr Osborne, the event has been postponed as a result of “unforeseen logistics and shortage of funds to cover production cost”. Mr Osborne expressed a desire to have the issues resolved and inform stakeholders of a new date for the event which was initially set for June 19-24, 2014.

Osborne noted that his group will continue to look for new avenues by which to raise the necessary funds to cover the production costs of the event.

He further expressed that his team had explored every avenue to obtain the necessary funding to pull off the event, including making many written, oral and public requests for the current BVI Government administration to offer support in the form of financial assistance.

“We also investigated the possibility of obtaining a loan,” Osborne stated, while adding, “most importantly we partnered with the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association.”

“Needless to say that none of these avenues were successful and we concluded that it would be best to postpone the event this year,” he said.

Meanwhile, the CEO extended an invitation to persons interested in becoming shareholders and or investors of the event in order to bring it to fruition next year.

Earlier this month, Osborne had questioned the lack of support from the Office of Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith for assistance in pulling the event off and had complained of being stifled.

“I feel like if I am being stifled. I feel like I’m not being able to progress and I don’t know what is the reason. All I want is help,” he had told this news site.

30 Responses to “UPDATE: 'We cannot support everyone' - Premier Smith”

  • qc (26/05/2014, 15:35) Like (12) Dislike (44) Reply
    oh no how sad NDP hates the locals
  • Ah LAUGH (26/05/2014, 15:42) Like (58) Dislike (3) Reply
    This man wants to spend almost $1million dollars on a first time event? He got to be sick in his head! Look at the youngsters who pulled off the boat show at Scrub. It wasn't a home run but I'm sure they have learned from this and will do an even better job next time. I'm also sure that they will try some fundraisers and stuff leading up to it. Devon, you cannot simply expect the Government or businesses to pump hundreds of thousands into an inaugural event. Prove yourself and then people will get on board, simple.
  • please (26/05/2014, 15:42) Like (37) Dislike (3) Reply
    This was a total non starter from the outset. There were plenty of Latino entries in the poker run yesterday so why have another event? Sorry, this guy means well but nothing comes to fruition, he has big plans!
    • Exactly (27/05/2014, 07:24) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Perhaps more to the point, how much government funding was provided for yesterday's events and all previous versions?
      • Poker Lover (27/05/2014, 12:12) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        Government dont give money to this even, tourist board start coming around
        since CNN show us off and didnt mention about the tourist board. It was embarrasing
        but it was the truth. It stand on its own legs.
  • Sailor (26/05/2014, 16:00) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    Moorings is a major company and stood to make the most money from this event as their boats were the ones that would be chartered mostly. The fact that they didn't put more money behind it says a lot. You have to creep before you walk sonny boy, you bite off more than you could chew. I saw plenty of Puerto Ricans at Leverick. They plan for Memorial and Easter all the time. You think they will come back here again nx tmonth?
  • Dr. Shimit (26/05/2014, 16:11) Like (1) Dislike (21) Reply
    I could not support this venture because he is not with our NDP team.

    We run this country but if you are not with us you are against us.

    Better luck next time Mr. Osborne.
    • wize up (27/05/2014, 06:05) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      talk the ruth the "Dr Shimit"; the young man just do NOT understand !!!!!
  • Silly (26/05/2014, 16:23) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
    he needs to think of an original idea, why copy something that is already thought of. half the boat enteries are from Puerto Rico so there is no need for a Latino poker run.
  • NICK (26/05/2014, 16:28) Like (4) Dislike (26) Reply
    He may be born here but we have money and color behind ours. Hey mate consider bleaching your skin.
  • NDP! (26/05/2014, 16:32) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply

    N..... Don't Progress!

  • x factor (26/05/2014, 16:55) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    So the ndp can't come to the Spanish people looking no vote
  • Funny Guy (26/05/2014, 17:57) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    The latino caribbean community has sun and sand already. Those who have money are heading to Brazil to the world cup! I really don't think the Tourist Board will hire you to market the BVI to the Latino community. In addition, next time don't put a bunch of broke hungry, low income girls on the bow of the boats to market the event.

    You had a better chance being an ice cube in hell!!!
  • ????? (26/05/2014, 19:46) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm confused...why is he naming it Latino Poker Run and we are in the BVI? Is the event only for Latinos? Something's just not right with the story, funding sources, and explanations.

    IMO, I wouldn't underwrite it either.

  • Lucky you (26/05/2014, 22:02) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The girls are all we have. NDP or VIP there are ours. They all looked good.
  • wize up (27/05/2014, 06:15) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    i just have a question: why we always looking to government for money; i remember when i was growing up we started our ventures with out any help from government....this venture was a good idea and the young man needs to keep at it; let me also say this and some of us will get it while others can only talk dumb Fu@$(life for the BV Islander is much harder now because we can not give our leaders money to go out and buy a volvo or swine & dine them on private islands)
  • IDEA IDEA (27/05/2014, 14:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    MAN IF LIME TAKING CARE OF THE ORIGINAL POKER RUN THEN LOOK TO DIGI CELL FOR A SPONCER NO
  • hello (27/05/2014, 21:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    He must be selling PR lottery or something.
  • george w touch (27/05/2014, 22:35) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    What this government did to this guy is just wrong dam wrong
  • rr (28/05/2014, 15:15) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    I really wish people would stop, and do research about the Leverick Bay Poker Run and how it was started. They started small and invested in their brand! Year after year they made changes to improve the event. They kept at it and look where they are today! Its such a sucessful event that Lime as mentioned by somebody before, and tourist board all want to get on board.... but please lets not forget that they all are jhonny come lately because they now see how major the event is. Surprisingly nobody is commenting about how the Leverick Bay/ Poker Run team also donates every year to charities....... Peele man needs to focus on his event, start small and let your brand grow. Don't look at what has been standing from 2002 and think you can pull it off with the same feed back as Poker Run. Remember they started with 12 boats and out of their pocket, now the event has over 300 vessels of all shapes and sizes and a ton load of business that want a part of the spotlight. The mentality of people every minute blaming government for things is just pittyful.
  • ---------------------- (03/06/2014, 15:13) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
    tell the truth Dr smith your help is reserved for NDP within the family
  • He enough for he self (03/06/2014, 15:19) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    The reality is this guy is not trying to do any poker run he is asking for funding for a video production. Maybe if he tells the truth he may get a little money from a private sponsor. Why on God's green earth should a production for a poker run cost $500,000.00 plus? What and how will he make back that money? Tourism? He can't tell anybody how many boats are booked. He flying up and down all over the place...

    The problem with this production is he thinks people are stupid!!! Every big production starts out small, he with no experience in anything He want to start out with a half a million dollars? It's not postponed it's dead!!!

    He has time now let's see if he gets his land right and gets a loan. He will never get a loan on his own land he simple wants to use Tax payers dollars to take chance with.
  • Latinos Bomba! (03/06/2014, 16:06) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Dr. Smith, we will not support ndp either so tek dat in your pipe and smoke it!
  • kill the rabbit (03/06/2014, 16:15) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    I remember this Jam Band song and I know next election them politician better run for cover just like how ayo kill the Latino event.

    Want all get none and that long Antigua boy should understand what that mean.

    NDp must go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • SOB Blooper (03/06/2014, 16:28) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
    Who is this guy public relations person? Mr. Premier sir, you do not say you cannot support everyone because everyone did not ask you for support. Mr. Osborne did and you should have at least acknowledge his request with a letter and not through the media.

    Now I see where Mr. Osborne was coming from because if you have to use the media to get answers from these fools well I believe he made the right move even though it was not clear to us the people what was the break down cost of his production.

    To add more fuel to the fire, when you ran for office you were out there asking everyone for support but now you cannot support everyone. What a government for the people.

    The money is only for the ndp family so this administration must go immediately.
  • Virgin Son (04/06/2014, 01:17) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    , shame on us. shame on NDP
  • u make no sense (04/06/2014, 02:55) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Everyone surely didn't support them.


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