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‘We are not running for office in this hour’- Claude O. Skelton-Cline

- amid criticisms over his call for a complete ban on scooters
Talk show host and former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline (left) has said his call for a ban on motor scooters in the Virgin Islands is not about politics but what he believes is in the best interest of the public. Photo: VINO/File
The misuse of motor scooters in the Territory, especially by young riders who continue to violate the traffic laws, has long been a cause for concern; however, the police seems to be powerless to resolve the problem. Photo: VINO
The misuse of motor scooters in the Territory, especially by young riders who continue to violate the traffic laws, has long been a cause for concern; however, the police seems to be powerless to resolve the problem. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- “What we do, what we say here on Honestly Speaking comes from a principled place… It’s what we believe is in the public good.”

Talk show host and former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline, while on his radio programme, Honestly Speaking, aired Tuesday December 5, 2017, took the opportunity to set the record straight on his views about the use of motor scooters in the territory.

It was just about a week ago that the radio personality publicly called on the government to ban the use of scooters in the territory.

“I am in favour of the complete ban on scooters in our country for two reasons; we have seen a tremendous amount of our young people who have died, riding these things, being reckless and careless…and because they are now being used in criminal activity to do what they do and then escape,” Mr Skelton-Cline stated on his talk show aired on ZBVI 780 AM, Tuesday November 28, 2017.

This is not about politics

The mixed response to his sentiments prompted Mr Skelton-Cline to clear the air. “There are people who have said to me Claude you know you are saying you want to ban scooters, you are going to make all the people who ride scooters mad at you and you are not going to get voted. This is not why I do what I do. Whatever decision I make and whatever positions I take are principled decisions, that I believe and I’m convinced that they are in the public good and public interest.”

He further explained that his position is his position and its still up to the government to hear what is being said then meet and decide what laws and legislations will be passed.

“This is not politics, we are not running for office in this hour, so it is what we believe is in the public’s good.”

Mr Skelton-Cline had also said on his previous show that he believes legislators have been failing to act against the problem of scooters because they are afraid it might affect their vote getting.

According to him, politicians and those not in favour of the ban should ask themselves, “What is it that is in the public good?” Though he agrees that scooters could be used as “an easy, inexpensive mode of transportation,” he noted that right now their use has become something else.

“Legislators need to step in because if you can’t use something responsibly, then there has to be a law in place that says to you now you’ve abused this. For the exception of those persons who have businesses and rentals, have then exist but rent to tourists. Not where the young people wear no helmet, dashing in and out of cars, running through lights, it’s just crazy.”

Favourable feedback

Though not all residents are in favour of a complete ban on motor scooters, they do recognise that the scooters have become a problem. Suggestions are that the age for scooter riders to be licensed and insured should be raised and that at 8:00 PM all scooters should be off the road. Mr Skelton Cline added, “we hope that our leaders, the legislators, are hearing us.”

Commissioner of Police Michael B. Mathews had also called for a revision in the bikes legislations and the education of the community to effect better usage of the scooters.

Scooters were banned before - Skelton-Cline

Mr Skelton-Cline also took the opportunity to remind listeners of the history of scooter riding in the Virgin Islands.

“I must also note that it was August 9, 1965, on the heels of a tragic accident, in Paraquita Bay, one of our young men died. It was shortly there after that the government of the day banned motorcycles in the territory… we have a law on the books that came as a result of so many other persons experiencing fatalities in out community. That law still exists today and there was some give with the scooter in that their limit on the level of horsepower that can be used and so they were reintroduced into the territory.”

See link to related article:

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/ban-all-scooters-in-vi-claude-o-skelton-cline

12 Responses to “‘We are not running for office in this hour’- Claude O. Skelton-Cline”

  • Pray for the BVI (06/12/2017, 10:42) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    The issues with scooters were voiced over and over again for years now,but nothing was done. I hope that after the murder of an innocent 11yr old child, something can be done
    • ? (06/12/2017, 12:05) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      Frazer or Fahie which would be your party of choice Mr. Cline?.. Join Frazer Run against fahie. Or Join Fahie Run against Frazer. U may not win but you will be good compstition..U can talk.
  • myrun (06/12/2017, 11:05) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    well well well so we are to believe no politics? wheel and come again
  • Lord 0 (06/12/2017, 12:00) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr. Clyne I agree with you speaking your mind and your conscience without the concern or fear of political draw backs..most of them just say what popular and what psople want to hear even though they don't believe what they are saging. (Hypocrites). However, I do not believe that banning all Scooters is the solution. I think its an over reaction
  • tash (06/12/2017, 12:23) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    I don't believe two kids on a scooter ordered and executed the hit on these people. These kinds of things come from much higher up and next time it could be a roadside crossfire ambush or a shooting from another car.
    We need to look much higher up and find out who may benefit from such an act. Don't just look for two kids. They may be the suiside bombers, if you like, but they did not necessarily plan such an attack. Look for the activities of some victims and who stands to benefit from their removal. Some people, when they smell money, will stop at nothing to futher their aims.
  • qc (06/12/2017, 12:59) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    like him or hate Claude has the most popular show in the BVI
  • wize up (06/12/2017, 15:18) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    when he start speaking about white collar crime and press for those miss using the tax money then have them arrested then brought before the courts I will hear: our people in business of selling scooters should someone then purchase and operate such scooters contrary to law why punish the seller of the scooter: car also kill people why not ban cars: the issue here is enforcement of the laws not stopping a man from making a dollar: try harder to find the dope dealer and those importing guns; if cline wants to clove problems in this place: scooters like guns don't hurts people(the users of these implements are the problem)
  • Really (06/12/2017, 16:23) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    SAME ISSUES WITH CARS, TRUCKS,JEEP. SO WHAT YOU REALLY SAYING...
  • My Goodness (06/12/2017, 18:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just enforce the laws on the books strictly and everything will fall in place. Too many cops know too many cousins, and too afraid to act against.
    • wize up (07/12/2017, 05:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      my goodness: the police from outside also have family and friends living in the BVI so they to afraid to act against them: let me share a real example with us: an officer apprehended a suspect; up walks another member of the RVIF and ask the arresting officers to give suspect a break; however the arresting object because his suspect had weed in his position: I submit, stop picking on the "born here police" because the others members of the this police force are doing the same thing(giving fellow county man: family and freiends breaks after such person violates the laws of this British Virgin Islands): some not turning in the drugs & cash confiscated; then using those proceeds to build homes or operate family business where they from


  • Good Point (07/12/2017, 07:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Based on this logic WE MUST BAN AUTOMOBILES. they are used far more recklessly, kill more young and old, damage our roads and environment immensely, and too are used for far more criminal activities. WE MUST BAN CARS NOW!!!
    • Look Chubble (09/12/2017, 23:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Lol u are so right
      Then Mabel dem should ban people who walk or run


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