Pastor Claude Sketon Cline says he is bringing a fresh set of eyes and vision for the Second Electoral District and the wider Virgin Islands. Photo: Submitted

VINO secured an exclusive interview with Claude Skelton Cline who officially announced his intention to contest the 2^nd electoral district in the upcoming general elections after months of speculation about his political ambitions.

His official announcement of his candidacy will be made on Wednesday March 23, 2011 at 6 p.m. in Cane Garden Bay at the Big Banana Co.

Having lived in the United States for many years, Mr. Skelton Cline returned to the VI in 2008.

“I have always wanted to come home. I felt one season ending in one geographic area (the United States) but felt a stronger pull to come back home but did not know what avenue or path it was going to take me,” Skelton Cline told VINO.

He said after being home and making several site visits around the Territory, he was able to assess how things were left, what became of those things and he began listening to the people.

“I began to realise where the deficits and needs are and I began to listen to the people and listen to God and think of what is the best way to marry my skills set with the needs of the people,” the community advocate described his decision to enter in the political arena.

After living for so many years abroad, the District 2 resident felt it was important to give the people an insight into who he is and what he is about.

“As a son of the soil, I was born at Peebles Hospital, grew up in Cane Garden Bay, and attended the Cane Garden Bay Primary now Ivan Dawson primary. I was raised by the village, we had the benefit of being raised by the Hodges, the Rhymers, the Callwoods and others, long before we know of the African proverb of taking a village to raise a child and that was a tremendous benefit that helped me to be rounded, grounded and grow up with a level of security and stability,” the 2^nd district candidate related.

Prevailing Empowerment & Worship Center was built under Skelton Cline leadership in 2005. Photo: Submitted

He completed his secondary education at the Charlotte Amalie High school in St. Thomas and was involved in the Future Business Leaders of America where he learnt several skills including typing and shorthand.

Mr. Skelton Cline then moved to the United States where he attended the Massachusetts Bay College in Wellseley Hills. He finished his undergraduate studies at Florida Memorial University in Miami Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion and Philosophy and a minor in Marketing.

While in Florida, Mr. Skelton Cline said part of his internship was providing services at the hospital in Broward County and Prison ministry.

“At the hospice care unit, I sat with persons who were diagnosed with certain illness, I listened and counseled, it was called the Ministry of Presence, and I did that through the church I was attending there.”

After graduating from Florida, Mr. Skelton Cline attended Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville Kentucky where he obtained a Masters of Divinity.

He then moved on to Detroit Michigan where he was the pastor for a church in an urban poverty stricken community, which was considered the poorest zip zone in America, 48210.

Prevailing Empowerment & Worship Center is used for seminars, has indoor sporting facilities among other things.

It was there that Pastor Skelton Cline told VINO that he made his mark, being able to build and raise his church from a congregation of 35 to 500 after serving there for 12 years and also championing several community projects that helped to bring several benefits to the community and its residents.

“We were able to establish a non-profit development community, Prevailing Community Development Corporation which is still functioning today and that was our vehicle for all of our social action ministry, after school programmes, tutorials, parenting classes, land acquisition, low to moderate home construction, work course training,” the Pastor said in describing some of the programmes that his church carried out for the community.

“It has made tremendous difference, Detroit was not short of churches, and we did all of this on a shoe string budget,” he explained the benefits from the church’s role in the community’s development.

Among the things that Mr. Skelton Cline was able to accomplish as the head of the church, was the successful lobbying to the city of Detroit to demolish abandoned and burnt out buildings.

Another achievement was his role to acquire land from the city for a community housing project or green space.

A picture of the development for low to moderate income homes developed by Skelton-Cline’s organization (construction commenced in 2004 completed 2005). It was 66 units costing $13.3 million funded by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Photo: Submitted

“I was able to get a status from the state of Michigan that allow the non-profit housing development corporation to have first right of refusal of all land that was within the walls of the city, council or state for the purpose of housing development or creating green state,” he recalled.

In 2005, Mr. Skelton Cline was instrumental in building a $2 million family life centre – the Prevailing Empowerment & Worship Center that housed both the church and its social action ministry.

“In that community, it was sheer force of will, determination, perseverance, and persistency. You don’t serve the public to make money but to make a difference,” he added.

“In retrospect, there was always three basic things I had seem to have done well – I was a good listener, a quick learner and enjoyed serving people,” Skelton Cline told VINO, this was long before he even had any thoughts of becoming a politician.

In light of his background, the Cane Garden Bay resident said what he brings to the table is “I have a history of leading people, mobilising and marshaling people for a cause and helping to build a community will with a singular effort.”