‘You have committed no crime’ - Hon Andrew A. Fahie
He called into the all night radio programme on ZBVI 780 AM last night June 8, 2015 to thank the people of the First District who voted overwhelmingly to keep him for another four years, gaining over 600 votes and beating out Shaina M. Smith of the National Democratic Party and Independent candidate Preston P. Stoutt.
“I would like to thank the persons of the First District for coming out in their numbers. I would like to say to the candidates [of the VIP who didn’t win] that you haven’t committed a crime and you [should be proud and not feel bad],” he said.
He said that as long as they remain steadfast and never give up there is always hope that things will get better.
Fahie and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) both retained their seats even though the other candidates on the Virgin Islands Party slate lost. As the counting of the At Large votes continued throughout the night, it was clear that thus far the incumbent At Large candidates were among the top of the pile. Those are Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton and Honourable Archibald C. Christian.
Further, the VIP was unable to hold on to the Ninth District, with its candidate Elton L. Sprauve aka ‘All Out’ being beaten to the line by five-time challenger in the Ninth District Dr Hubert O’Neal. The VIP has held the Ninth District for decades with former Premier and former Chairman of the VIP Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE as its representative.
Honourable Fahie was one of the most vocal and steadfast critics of the ruling NDP and accused them of being the most corrupt government in the modern history of the territory. He also accused its members of being morally corrupt who take right and make it wrong depending on who they love or hate.
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13 Responses to “‘You have committed no crime’ - Hon Andrew A. Fahie”
The ridiculous move to bring forward a vote of no confidence, when there was no possible chance of winning was preposterous, a waste of time and effort. It made all who took part a laughing stock. Nobody could take any of you seriously from that point forward because a lot of respect was lost.
Both yourself and Mr. Fraser are well-intentioned, but you have gone off track. You have lost sight of what is important to your supporters and you insist upon forging ahead with YOUR OWN agendas and YOUR OWN visions rather than those of the people. You could both offer the people so much more if you would only put your anger and personal opinions aside.
I am so depressed that we are STUCK with basically the same government as we had before. The opposition is hog tied strictly due to the fact that there will only be 2 members. I place the blame for this result squarely on the shoulders of the VIP party for not providing the leadership the people desire and for insisting upon waging a campaign of negativity over the past 2 years. It is YOUR fault.
One time VIP supporters were given few (if any) alternatives. I could not vote for you and your "war on corruption" so I voted for Preston. The others in my family who live in district 2 could not vote for Rajah because --- well he's Rajah. Most voted for Elford and 2 voted for Mitch. In the at large category, the VIP team was incredibly weak. Who were we really supposed to vote for? None of us voted for any of the incumbents, most of us voted for independents and some voted for some of the NDP candidates, though my husband and I did not.
This was probably the most depressing election I have ever experienced. The reason it was depressing was because few of us who were previous VIP supporters felt we were provided with any viable options.
You, Mr. Fraser and the entire VIP membership need to really look at what you are doing, where you are going and where you want to be in the next four years - if you want to regain the confidence of the people. Many of us have been trying to tell you what was wrong, but you didn't listen. Perhaps now you will.
Poor we. Another 4 years. Just imagine the damage that will be done. Blame yourselves VIP. You gave us few options.
I say change Fraser with Andrew or Dancia and replace those weak ones and you can have an equally matched party, with fresh ideas.
The snap election definitely worked in the NDPs favor because they controlled everything and the VIP could never really get a foothold on the public.
As a youngster, I often traveled St. Thomas, with my mother for 29 days, (the standard at the time, compared to a whole year in our country). It was barely enough time to work and earn enough to purchase 2 boxes of groceries, to return home with; repeating the process ad-infinitum.
By the way, those trips were made by home made, slow engine-less boats, taking a full day to make the trip.
My involvement in the campaign process was also in support of the off-springs of the once-owners of lands , like the lands in the harbour in and around the Gun Creek area of North Sound, Virgin Gorda and elsewhere, that is now in the hands of others, (while they are still poor and working for the new owners of their once-owned lands).
I am truly fearful for about the future of our youths. I am imagining 10 and 20 years into the future and what conditions are going to be like for them. Their freedoms and ability to own land, have access to the beaches, access and use of our fishing grounds, to catch fish, whelk, lobster, conch etc.
To me, these areas and the Empowerment of our people are of greater interest than the last minute issuing of contracts, the spreading of asphalt on roads and areas hardly needing it. The last minute breaking ground for the clinic on Virgin Gorda and the completion of the basketball arena, just days before election do not impress me of as having " government in the sunshine". True, i would be more impressed had these things been done, say, two years earlier. I would have also been more impressed had the titles to the plots of land awarded, been in the hands of the persons awarded. As I understand it, all that has been awarded are "Promissory notes", with no mention of purchase price. What I have been hearing are costs of $10,00 and$15,000 per lot.
@Scary Mary and Wize Up, I beg to differ with you regarding your comment about the Vip not providing you with the option of credible and electable candidates and fresh ideas.
With exceptional individuals on the Vips ticket, such as the well spoken and intelligent with the ability to think on her feet, Ms. Shari Decastro, Dr. Dawson, attorney Mrs. Sharmaine Bunbury and Mrs. Penn O'Neal, they are more than well equipped and capable of holding their own in the House Of Assembly. I am impressed with their talent and abilities and should all applaud their courage, passion and desires to serve..
Both Ms. Decastro and Dr. Dawson went at length to talk about the youths and early education, job training and preparedness, entrepreneurship education, trade school, improvement in tourism marketing and improved travel access to Bvis. Mrs Bunbury offered her ideas on the development of a third pillar, (fishing and agriculture). As an attorney, she talked about getting the Bvi off the French Black List and about strengthening and protecting our Financial Services sector.
Mr. Frazer introduced the idea of implementing a "Marine Academy", where youngsters and anyone interested would learn the skills of yachting, seamanship, their repairs, maintenance and operation etc. This is huge, and with the potential to produce enormous earnings, it is imperative that we embrace this initiative.