VIP announces Candidate for D4 By-Election
The announcement was made by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (D1), as he addressed supporters during a VIP ‘Thank You Fete,’ venued at the Bandstand in Road Town, Tortola, last evening, Saturday March 16, 2019.
Premier Fahie in making the announcement, told the scores of supporters gathered, “I can’t forget all those who have travelled the road with us, we have a lady here and we put her on a journey, so the plane ticket’s already booked but she is on standby because we expect a seat to become vacant on the plane.”
Resignation
The Premier was at the time making reference to the recent resignation submitted by Mark H. Vanterpool, who was elected to serve as the Fourth District Representative but subsequently resigned.
His resignation was accepted by the Speaker of the HoA, Honourable Julian Willock, even as Vanterpool points to discrepancies with his resignation.
VI Governor, His Excellency August J.U. Jaspert, has since adopted the position that he is unable to pronounce on a By-Election, since he has not been informed formally of a vacant seat in the HoA.
Premier Fahie in his address to supporters, last evening, said “She (Hodge-Smith) is number one on the standby list…we just need the seat to become vacant.”
Governor Jaspert had met with members of the media the previous day, Friday March 15, 2019.
Ms Hodge-Smith had unsuccessfully come up against Vanterpool, at the February 25, 2019, General Elections.
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34 Responses to “VIP announces Candidate for D4 By-Election”
Andrew has gone c****, whar bi-electiom him a talk bout?
HE NEVER LOVE OR CARED 4 THE PEOPLE OF THE 4TH DISTRICT!!!
Moreover, much has happened since March 05. Julian Willock sworn as third Speaker of the HOA. 12 of 13 elected members sworn in on March 12. Mark Vanterpool is recanting his resignation and requesting to be sworn in. The bye-election is up in the air and may require the Judiciary settling the issue. The whole thing is a pappy show and is making a mockery of the process. If Mark truly cares about D-4 residents, he should call it in and call it a day, giving residents the oppportunity to elect a candidate who is motivated to fully represent them. Mark’s resignation issue has exposed a weakness in the constitution that the constitution should be amended soonest to correct. While at it, a fixed date for election is needed. Further, government activity between the time HOA was dissolved and swearing in a new government should be limited to routine operations and emergencies. Fix date election set, major legislation 90-120 days before election should require 80% approval by HOA.
The resignation of Mark and his subsequent change of heart and asking the Hon. Speaker to have him swear-in is a lack of political awareness. I must emphasise that once the letter of Mark's resignation reaches into the House of Assembly, there should be absolutely no doubt in any one's mind that his resignation reached the intended destination. In the court of law that is premeditation to commit an act. I want to wish Mrs. Luce Hodge all the best and I would like to her to ensure that she use the General Election as the basis for he candidacy in the BY Election. I know the Hon. Premier will be in the fore front in the battle to ensure victory for Luce.
?Bring back the action man. Ayuh guh siddung!
When will Mr Speaker or the AG will make the seat vacant
The woman carries two last names so why married then.its either you are in a marriage or out.
The Clerk indicated to Mark that his letter should have been addressed to the speaker. The Speaker then told Mark in a separate letter on even date that the letter addressed to the Clerk was passed to his office and he accepted it. At that point, it was too late for Mark to rescind. But I agree with you that if the Speaker did ask him to resign, then he could have changed his mind and then he should legally rightly be sworn in. But I think your facts are skewed. The letters should be published so that people can see for themselves what each said.
Least of all the UK.
Mark will not only win his seat, but compensatory damage as well.
The UK wants the BVI's " arrogant dare to be self sufficient head"on a platter but creating chaos has not worked and it won't. We are blessed.
On the other hand this might very well be a way for the NDP on a hold to sabotage the newly elected government especially since Premier Fahie exposed many of their issues and call them the most corrupt government ever. By causing all this confusion, they can prevent this government from giving meaningful representation to we the people. As I have said before time and resources used on resolving this matter could be best use somewhere else to move the country forward.
I was so made Saturday night hearing the Premier introduce her as Hon. Luce Hodge- Smith, like we at Comedy Central. Let the decide if a by-election will take place or not. I’m neither for nor against but what the Constitution is the Supreme Law and if it says Hon Vanterpool’s resignation was not valid so be it. Until the AG advices the SOTH that the seat is vacant, who will then advise the Governor, you all just need to stop the madness.
Before the Governor came out talking about by-elections he should have ensured the proper procedure was followed, he didn’t get advice from SOTH as there was not at the time, and even if there was the letter was not addressed to the Speaker that along makes it invalid.
Nevertheless had he attended the opening of the HOA on March 12 he would have been sworn in and become a member regardless of his previous decision. So what was his reason for not attending? It was because he was not willing to serve as the D4 Representative.
So why should he be permitted to be sworn in after March 12? Was he sick, or off-island on personal business on March 12? No. And if he gets his way, what happens if next month he changes his mind again? It's not a game of musical chairs. It is the serious business of the territory.