Dr Karl Dawson encouraged by support
In an exclusive interview with this news site, Dr Dawson also said he will be reporting to work at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) unless otherwise instructed. He had taken leave to join the Virgin Islands Party’s political platform.
Dr Dawson expressed thanks and appreciation to all those who gave him their vote on Election Day and all those who offered him prayerful support and also gave encouraging words. He gained 3,420 votes, the fifth highest.
The respected educator said he is happy and elated that persons saw it fit to give him their vote as he stood on the principles of honesty and integrity and his commitment to education.
He said people have been meeting him and voicing their congratulations for having such a strong showing at the polls and that this came both from people who voted for him and those who didn't.
An enlightening experience
“The experience was an enlightening one. It as invigorating. The standards and values that I stand for in my personal and professional life, along with my experience, seemed to resonate with a number of voters. I think that accounts for the number of votes that I did get, especially when the party was not doing well in a number of districts.”
He noted that it was encouraging that he was able to garner the support that he did as people voted for what they perceived he was standing for – honesty, integrity and competency, “and those are the things that people are looking for in their representative.”
He offered congratulations to the National Democratic Party as he said the electorate spoke clearly as to who they wanted in Government. “I would wish them the very best and pray for God’s blessing and guidance on our territory,” he said.
Dr Dawson said that even though now is a time for reflection and assessing the whole process of the election and campaign, he said based on the overwhelming support, continuing in politics is something that he may give serious consideration to.
20 Responses to “Dr Karl Dawson encouraged by support”
I do hope you will return to work at the college and they (NDP) don't victimized you especially the tall glass of water looking one....i sit and wait to see how they treat the own BVIlander.
Politics and politicians have gotten, (or created), such a negative perception, that it seems we expect the system and the politicians to be corrupt, and therefore, others of integrity, Christians and pastors for example, should stay out of it; leaving it to the integrity challenged.
With hind sight being what it is, 20 x 20 vision, what we need in government seems to be persons of high morals and integrity; who can answer the clarion call of "Country above self".
In testimony to Dr. Dawson's character and leadership, I'd like to share a little story I recently was witness to about him. During a Vip candidate launch, (I think it was Andrew's at Capoons Bay), in his presentation he said something to the effect that, "A vote for the independent candidates would be a wasted vote; that they don't have a team, and would need to have one".
Within days of making that statement, he was walking through the Marina in Virgin Gorda and encountered some folks sitting at a table at the Baths & Turtle Restaurant. One of them, a campaign manager of one of the independents immediately asked him to explain what he meant by the statement.
Without hesitating, he told the gentleman that: "Within moments of making the statement I realized that I had made a mistake". He then went on to explain that within moments and days of the statement, he called all the independent candidates and apologize to them, with the realization that thy were all exercising their rights in service to their country .
The gentleman upon listening to his response, commended him for his honesty and integrity, and further pledged that he would vote in support of him on election day. That is integrity, that is leadership.
Having Dr Karl Dawson should be cause for all supporters of the VIP to feel proud in knowing that "Where there is vision, the people will survive and Thrive".
His, Dr. Dawson reasons for joining the VIP was that had thought hard, had mulled around in his mind, and cam to the realization that the VIP had always been the party of the people; the party that did significant things: built the College, crated tourism, Financial services, the airport, the bridge at Beef Island, the Bregada Educational Center and the HLSC branch on Virgin Gorda, the cruise ship dock etc, etc.
I would have made a similar decision, had I been running for politics also. I wish Dr. Dawson nothing but the best; that he would stay engaged, that h would speak out on the issues when necessary and give his support to the Opposition on the issues of the day.
We all know that while the NDP did
In the holy scriptures, (Genesis 19:10-29) h city of Sodom and Gomarrah