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We have done a poor job @ social development- Natalio D. Wheatley

According to talk show host Natalio D. Wheatley (right), the Virgin Islands has done a poor job at tackling the issue of mentally ill persons in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Wheatley's remarks come following calls by some sections of society for Government to take a stand to once and for all remove vagrants off the streets. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Wheatley's remarks come following calls by some sections of society for Government to take a stand to once and for all remove vagrants off the streets. Photo: VINO/File
Concerns about vagrants on the streets of the Virgin Islands stem from a recent incident allegedly involving Sonnel G. Hanley, who had been arrested and charged for un-provokingly slapping a male tourist on September 18, 2016. From all accounts, it was not the ‘first strike’ for Hanley. Photo: VINO/File
Concerns about vagrants on the streets of the Virgin Islands stem from a recent incident allegedly involving Sonnel G. Hanley, who had been arrested and charged for un-provokingly slapping a male tourist on September 18, 2016. From all accounts, it was not the ‘first strike’ for Hanley. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Host of the Things to Talk radio programme, Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru believes not enough has been done in the area of social development in the Virgin Islands.

Wheatley, speaking on the radio programme on ZBVI 780 AM on Wednesday November 2, 2016 said an overall poor job has been done in effectively dealing with socially ill persons in the territory.

The talk show host’s remarks came following calls by some sections of society for Government to take a stand to once and for all remove violent vagrants off the streets.

These concerns stemmed from a recent incident allegedly involving Sonnel G. Hanley, who had been arrested and charged for un-provokingly slapping a male tourist on September 18, 2016. From all accounts, it was not the ‘first strike’ for Hanley.

Not proactive

“I think we have done a poor job at social development, whether it is crime, whether socially ill people, we have done a poor job and we are waiting until tourists and residents are being assaulted. We need to get serious about social development,” he said.

Mr Wheatley also pointed out that these bad ratings are hurting the fragile tourism sector.

“It is not a good look for us on the international scene,” he lamented.

One woman who also voiced her displeasure on the matter back in October, Ms Marva U. Vanterpool, said the Government of the Virgin Islands needs to place the issue up for discussion.

“If a tourist should take this government to court it would be a sad thing but they would be well within their rights to do so because the government and the BVIHSA need to take certain actions,” she said. “That is not the first or the second time. I witnessed the incident at Bobby’s and there are other reports of this man slapping people,” said the concerned woman.

During the first quarter of 2013, the same Hanley was charged with common assault. Prior to that, in 2012 he was made to spend six months in jail for a similar offense which amounted to common assault.

14 Responses to “We have done a poor job @ social development- Natalio D. Wheatley”

  • BOTTOM LINE (04/11/2016, 10:23) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    THE NDP IS/WAS A BAD CHOICE
  • Do You Know? (04/11/2016, 10:26) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do you know that Social Development Department does not deal with mental health clients?
    Do you know that Community Mental Health-Behavioral Health Division, which is under BVI Health Services Authority-a statuatory board-deals and treat with mental health clients?
    Do you know that Safe Haven provides housing to homeless persons, who agrees to reside and participate in treatment?
    Do you know that Social Development Department do work in collaboration with these agencies in the best interest of their clients?
    Do you know that Social Development Department provides assistance whether it is food, monies, daycare, housing for persons that apply?

    I can speak of this because we tend to bash services and the work that Departments are doing and never tend to applaud them when they are doing good. Like our own household..we all have issues. Yes the Department can brush up on a lot of things, but we as a community, especially the churches and non-governemental agencies come together to address the social ills in our community.

    Most often, you find non-profit organizations providing such services and the government offer assistance to these programs.

    Let us lend a helping hand Mr. Wheatley!

    • @ Do you know (04/11/2016, 11:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well Said!
      Please Mr. Wheatley do your research before making such allegations.
  • concern (04/11/2016, 10:34) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    The prison is not the place for mental patient how can they help in prison. When they are not putting them in prison they put them in the hospital for a few days and then put them out in the streets to trouble people. The BVI never take care of their mental patient years ago they use to send them to ANTIGUA. It is time they start taking care of these people. They are getting consultants for every thing so they can get one to help them solve this problem before one of them damage the wrong tourist or even a local.
    • It's Crazy in the BVI. (04/11/2016, 12:13) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
      Honestly. When this is all over. We will only remember the governor who save us.. These politicians will be known as the one that failed us.. I wonder if they are reading/ listening and take their responsibility and the people serious..
      • Woke (05/11/2016, 08:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        If you really believe he gives an ish about you, I have a nice bridge to sell you.
  • Correction (04/11/2016, 11:10) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    It's Dr. Natalio Wheatley
  • facts man (04/11/2016, 11:58) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    but many of these people have rich families
  • wow (04/11/2016, 12:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sowande, what are you doing to assist with these things?
    • dude (04/11/2016, 13:06) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      Just by bringing light to it he's done more than you. What have you done?
      It's a known fact there has been no focus given to the mentally ill here and there are many functional mentally ill here who go to work daily it's not just the vagrants. Most of us would never make it outside the BVI b/c we like to insult rather than address the elephants in the rooms.
  • Failure after failure (04/11/2016, 12:09) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    Another Ronnie failure. Can't believe this guy built such great businesses and is such a failure as a Minister..
  • VIP 2b blamed. (04/11/2016, 12:19) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seriously VIP is to be blamed for all of our troubles. We voted them in power in 2007. They went and change nothing. Just went in on a greedy fest .. We voted for change. 4 yrs nothing was changed so we voted them out.. We can't vote neither VIP or NDP again.. Lol. Lol. It's not a Joke.
    • trrefdrfds (04/11/2016, 14:34) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      They couldn't change anything because all the money was going to the hospital to finish what ndp started the 4 years before
  • wize up (04/11/2016, 14:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    some are just full of criticism and offer no solutions: young blood acting like he knows it all BUT when he goes to the polls not many of us cast any votes for him..I am willing to put up 8 quarters that this young man will not be successful at the polls anytime he runs for electoral office...the lot of them on public radio taking and being critical of most things had the golden opportunity back in the 70s and did nothing; had clear cut policies and guidelines been established back them the territory would have been a better footing(ask scatliffe; Dawson; maduro; decastro and wheatley what they did back in 70s & 80s to better this place)


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