‘We must address high cost of living’- Dr Karl Dawson
He was speaking at last night’s June 2, 2015 VIP rally in Port Purcell, which featured the VIP’s Sixth District candidate Elvis ‘Juggy’ Harrigan.
Can barely make ends meet
Addressing cost of living concerns, Dr Dawson said that at one point what seemed to be a good job with a good salary is now putting persons in a position where they can barely make ends meet.
“Persons with decent jobs are not sure whether or not they will be able to own their own homes. They are concerned whether they would be able to afford a college education for their children beyond the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College,” he said.
‘Who feels it knows’
He noted that the issue of the cost of living in the territory is something that “we all feel" and noted that he has heard persons express shock and surprise to know that such things could take place.
“Those persons are not connected with the people so it is very difficult for them to make policies and priorities to meet the needs of the people. The song says who feels it knows, and who walks with the people will have a deeper sense of commitment and a deep sense of the high priority the issue of cost of living needs to be,” he said.
According to the long-time educator, such persons will have a deep sense also of priority about how the issue of the minimum wage ought to be handled. There has been no word from a committee that the Government put together to look at the minimum wage even though they said that they would have been making their recommendations by the end of April or early into May 2015.
Dr Dawson said tackling the high cost of living will be a key priority for the Virgin Islands Party, noting that the party will deal with the issue of price control at the same time by enacting policies to facilitate the ease in operating cost of businesses and government fees and structures will be examined.
“We realise that the more money that you have in your pocket to spend will in fact benefit the entire economy and government revenues as well,” said Dr Dawson.
Over their current term in office, the National Democratic Party has introduced new fees and raised old ones, to the detriment of the ordinary man and woman. They have even upped the fee to obtain a death certificate, members of the VIP have confirmed.
Higher standards
According to Dr Dawson, the way the members of the House of Assembly conduct themselves has come up for much discussion among the people. In recent months, members of the Government benches have been especially caustic in their presentations towards members of the Opposition to whom they speak with disrespect and disdain.
“I believe that you are looking to us to have higher standards in conducting the people’s business [and as such] I will seek to ensure that new standards and legislation be established for ethics as well as to enhance the code of conduct,” he said.
“In the meetings that I have had with team VIP I have found them to be civil and cordial but I have still found them to be passionate and able to make a point when they need to make a point but all within order and respect,” said Dr Dawson.
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11 Responses to “‘We must address high cost of living’- Dr Karl Dawson”
Eyes---I agree 100%--Example--I am living here for 33 yrs married with four kids who can vote--not addressing issues of expatriates in a fair policy way, that is what cause VIP to lose and NDP may just suffer the same fate--I got it from inside source that Ralph ask a lady in Immigration to send up all the Residence application for people over 25 years--she sent up--who she want--who she knows and who she like--Where is VIP now--What is she doing Now--Don not underestimate the voice and influence of expatriates--Like I say I can`t vote But I have 4 kids who can vote am not alone in this situation--they need to put a strong and firm residency and belonger policy in place so that these people who are entrusted in handling these things cannot victimize some and favor some--No Politician talks about that
I'm seeing something in the making with Dr. Dawson on board with VIP. I'm also sensing a sense of respect for him and a heightening of the level of respect for the party as well, because of him. He brings a heck of a lot to the VIP's table.
Thank you Dr. Dawson..!
In the the short-term, several initiatives can be taken 1) raise the minimm wage,( après say give America a raise; we need to give the BVI a raise), 2)temporarily provide a duty holiday on basic items, and 3)government provide food subsidies to low income residents. For the long-term, some structural adjustments to the drivers of the rising cost of living, ie, transportation, business pricing practices/profit margin, duty review and adjustment, ducation on lowering price/ higher profit, economic growth and devrlopmrnt....etc.