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Constitutional Review Commission to hold public meeting for Belongers living in USVI

- Consultative meeting slated for May 27, 2023 @ Windward Passage Hotel in STT
The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), in an effort to be as inclusive as possible, will be holding a consultative public meeting for Belongers residing in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) on May 27, 2023. Photo: Facebook
Chairman of the CRC, Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome said because Belongers residing in the USVI are specifically recognised in the VI Constitution as being eligible to vote in the [B]VI, it has been a practice to include them in constitutional consultative processes. Photo: VINO/File
Chairman of the CRC, Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome said because Belongers residing in the USVI are specifically recognised in the VI Constitution as being eligible to vote in the [B]VI, it has been a practice to include them in constitutional consultative processes. Photo: VINO/File
The 16-member Commission led by Mrs Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome met its deadline of July 31, 2022, in the Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report for the draft Terms of Reference to be presented. The draft Terms of Reference were handed over on July 18, 2022, to be signed off by the Governor and the Premier. Photo: CRC
The 16-member Commission led by Mrs Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome met its deadline of July 31, 2022, in the Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report for the draft Terms of Reference to be presented. The draft Terms of Reference were handed over on July 18, 2022, to be signed off by the Governor and the Premier. Photo: CRC
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Although the period for persons in the [British] Virgin Islands to make their contribution to the constitutional review process is officially closed, the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), in an effort to be as inclusive as possible, will be holding a consultative public meeting for Belongers residing in the US Virgin Islands (USVI).

The public meeting will be held at Windward Passage Hotel in St Thomas from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Who is invited?

According to a promo for the event, “everyone is invited, especially BVI Belongers and others with interest in the BVI.”

Chairman of the CRC, Lisa E. Penn-Lettsome said because Belongers residing in the USVI are specifically recognised in the VI Constitution as being eligible to vote in the [B]VI, it has been a practice to include them in constitutional consultative processes.

Penn-Lettsome further told our news centre, the Constitutional Review Commission has been trying to arrange the session since the beginning of the year but there has always been a bit of difficulty in finding a mutually convenient time.

“So, we have resolved to bite the bullet and have this particular engagement at this time. We are hoping that it is well-attended and that persons come out and ask questions as well as share any observations that they may have - in exactly the same way that we made ourselves available for meetings in the BVI.”

Over 40 engagements

Penn-Lettsome also informed that the Commission has had over 40 engagements since October 2022 and officially closed the period of time for submitting comments as at January 31, 2023.

“There has been just a trickle of comments submitted after that and we have accepted them, albeit subject to a delay in processing them, because we want the process to be a fair as possible.

“Because the time for submissions is closed, we are not expecting persons in the BVI to be still submitting feedback but if someone emails us at yourconstitution@gov.vg we will not refuse to accept any comments,” Penn-Lettsome stated.

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, in his Quarterly Report on Implementation of the Commission of Inquiry Recommendations in February 2023, said the Commission had received written submissions from 82 people and over 250 oral submissions.

CRC requested extension to submit Final Report

Following a late start to the review process, as well as delays in establishing a physical facility for its secretariat and accessing funds budgeted, the CRC made a request to the Governor for a 6-month extension to its June 2023 deadline and also extended the time for public consultations.

“The Commission is continuing its work on the basis of a revised timetable and aims to have its report ready before the end of 2023," Penn-Lettsome stated.

The Commission had also met its deadline of July 31, 2022, in the Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report for the draft Terms of Reference to be presented.

The draft Terms of Reference were handed over on July 18, 2022, to be signed off by the Governor and the Premier.

9 Responses to “Constitutional Review Commission to hold public meeting for Belongers living in USVI”

  • facts (22/05/2023, 12:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope the submissions represent a cross-section of the population. The turnouts at the public meetings could have been better. Carvin was trying to get people to go out and make their voices heard, but not sure how many listened or made the time. This was one of the most important undertakings of our time.
    • Wierd (22/05/2023, 19:43) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      It's so odd that this territory values "Belongers" who never step foot in the BVI more that immigrants who spend 20years living, working, contributing to the Virgin Islands
  • SURVIVAL (22/05/2023, 12:25) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    While I think it is prudent for us to look at the constitutional review and give our input, the majority of people in the BVI are just trying to survive in this place. Inflation, injustice from all angles, inequality etc.
  • Hmm (22/05/2023, 13:08) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    To me this is folly if it was important to them they can come over here.
  • U.S CONSTITUTION (22/05/2023, 13:57) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    tell me. when United States reviewing their constitution do they come B.V.I to discuss with their citizens living here? why should they have the best of both worlds.. If they were so interested, they should have taken the boat to attend the meetings being held here. They either live in the country or they don't. What's up with all this waste of money to send a delegation down St Thomas. For what?
  • My input.. (22/05/2023, 13:58) Like (34) Dislike (2) Reply
    I think people living in the BVI for 30yrs or more with no criminal record should be allow to vote in spite of their status..Or If they can prove that their status application has been submitted 4 yrs before the new election date...This I think will over ride and correct some of the bias and slowness in the status application process...I know people living here with no criminal record, good, hard working people, have their application in for years cant get an answer because of personal reasons and animosity. Sometimes somebody only have to write or say something bad about that person and they hold that against the person without seeking clarification from the person, or a sit down with applicant to get their side..This is so wrong. So, its my View that .These people should be allow to vote as I suggested above
  • WHAT!!!! (22/05/2023, 14:53) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Citizens or not if you do not live here then you should have no say in anything that may effect the lives of us who do live here.
  • 7 YEARS MAX (22/05/2023, 15:51) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    AND THEY HAVE TO LEAVE
    • @7 years max? (22/05/2023, 19:13) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      You must be referring to the people living in Usvi who are BVi citizens? They really do need to come home and sort out the mess this place has become.


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