Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Dr the Hon Wheatley & team making positive impact on 7th District

- organises Pantry Drive, Open Mic Night & Hurricane Response Team
The Food Pantry Drive resulted in over $1,200 worth of goods collected and a well packed pantry, which will be used to help vulnerable residents in the community. Photo: Provided
District 7 Committee has been busy organising and executing events to make a positive impact on the community. Photo: Provided
District 7 Committee has been busy organising and executing events to make a positive impact on the community. Photo: Provided
Deputy Premier and Representative for the Seventh District, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru, along with the District 7 Committee, has been busy organising events and more recently, disaster preparation in his constituency. Photo: GIS/File
Deputy Premier and Representative for the Seventh District, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru, along with the District 7 Committee, has been busy organising events and more recently, disaster preparation in his constituency. Photo: GIS/File
The response team will reach out to the community for the start of a 'buddy system' which would involve volunteers to check on elders and vulnerable residents in the event of hurricane impact. Photo: Provided
The response team will reach out to the community for the start of a 'buddy system' which would involve volunteers to check on elders and vulnerable residents in the event of hurricane impact. Photo: Provided
LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Representative for the Seventh District, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru, along with the District 7 Committee, has been busy organising events and more recently, disaster preparation in his constituency.

Canned Food Drive

On September 18, 2021, the committee held a District 7 Canned Food Pantry Drive at four locations on Tortola: Bobby’s Supermarket, Riteway in Pasea, Fine Foods and One Mart Superstore.

According to a press release from the D7 Committee, the drive resulted in over $1,200 worth of goods collected and a well packed pantry, which will be used to help vulnerable residents in the community.

Honourable Wheatley in an invited comment said, “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the recent drive. Your kind donations are greatly appreciated,” adding, “A special thank you to One Mart Superstore for the food vouchers and for your continuous support.”

The committee also collected donations on behalf of Denosha Lettsome, and have been presented to the D7 resident to help defer costs of her ongoing medical treatment.

Open Mic Poetry Night

The art of poetry and spoken word was showcased at the Open Mic Poetry Night, also held on September 18, at The Stickit, a district landmark historically used for community gatherings and recreational activities.

“The open mic is a sign that poetry is still very much a part of the Territory’s cultural fabric. Also within the district itself are many poets, writers, and other artists who continue to keep Virgin Islands arts alive,” said Dr Wheatley.

At the event, Honourable Wheatley performed alongside other local poets and singers including Kamaal T. Lettsome, Gia Fraser and April T. Glasgow.

Hurricane Preparation

The District 7 Response Team met virtually on Sunday, September 26, 2021, to discuss hurricane preparations. To that end, Honourable Wheatley said, “While Hurricane Sam has been forecasted to veer North of the Territory, it is always good to prepare in the event we do have some damage or impact.”

The response team will reach out to the community for the start of a “buddy system” which would involve volunteers to check on elders and vulnerable residents in the event of hurricane impact.

The team also spoke about engaging shelter managers to discuss the updated rules for shelters in districts seven and eight, including the Church of God of Prophecy and Hall, Upper Room Victory Church, Long Look Methodist Church Hall and East End Methodist Church.

17 Responses to “Dr the Hon Wheatley & team making positive impact on 7th District”

  • Oh Please (28/09/2021, 15:05) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    Now campaigning with the next election coming in the next 1 year and 5 months. And what you have to show for it. Pantry (the public's contributions), a poetry night (the public's contributions), a video conference for a hurricane 3 days before it going to pass (free). These people do not have a clue.
    • Jack-B-Quik (29/09/2021, 09:29) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Good ole’ Tola…damned if you do, damned if you don’t. SMH.
    • chupes (29/09/2021, 22:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It’s retarded people like you. How much Dr Pickering do in the 100 years he there?? Chupes
  • Wise Old Man (28/09/2021, 15:27) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    My suggestion to you Hon. Nataldo Wheatley, Dep. Premier, is to come to grips with the fact that ship VIP is taking in more water than is being pumped out. Also it sails are ragged, and the Captain has lost his bearing.
    I suggest no mutiny. But as things are now going, you need a political life raft to secure your political future, that is if you act wisely.
    Allowed me a few questions before I end this posting: Can you not see the writing on the wall? Can't you read accurately the many negative response? Time to wake up, and turn the cake, it has been flattened, and blackened on one side against the people's best interest. You fill in the blanks,..............................................................................
    • huh (01/10/2021, 00:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don’t study no writing on the wall. The pigs come and change it to suit them. As a teacher I know you know this one Showande.
  • WOW (28/09/2021, 15:40) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    Is a wonder he didnt add his birthday party to the list.
  • long look me come from (28/09/2021, 15:53) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Doc bringing district 7 alive
    • @Long Look (28/09/2021, 17:57) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      I can not tell if you are being sarcastic but I would want to believe that you are.
  • Xxx (28/09/2021, 17:53) Like (18) Dislike (9) Reply
    Thanks Showda you did well in less than three short years
    • @ Xxx: Aprox. 45% of 100% isn't good enough. (29/09/2021, 07:27) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      No!, nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
  • Amazing (28/09/2021, 19:43) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    AM SURPRISED THAT THE PERSON CLOSE TO BIG YOUTH HAS NOT GIVEN THE YOUNG FELLOW SOME OF HIS EXPERIENCE TO HELP GUIDE HIM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION INSTEAD IT LOOKS LIKE HE TURNED INTO A GHOST
  • Stop the hate and show BVILove (28/09/2021, 19:50) Like (31) Dislike (4) Reply
    Honestly speaking Dr. Natalio Wheatley has done a lot for District 7 compared to the former District Rep. Dr. Pickering as a first timer in political office. The community now have a pantry, and communal activities that are ongoing despite the pandemic. He has a District Office and a number that works when you contact it. You can communicate with him privately when you have a need as he shares his contact number also. Based on my observations and experience he is genuine and he cares about the young and the elderly. As for Dr. Kedrick Pickering I really cannot recall what genuine things he had done that demonstrates a communal spirit of care and concern for all the people of District 7. But I know he has done some major capital works in the District. Furthermore, he was unresponsive and unavailable when you had a genuine need in his latter days of political office. Rome was not built in one day, Dr. Natalio Wheatley cannot achieve everything in one term. Look how many terms Dr. Pickering had. Did he get it done? Nope!!
  • good thing (28/09/2021, 19:52) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thanks for caring Hon. Wheatlly. Don't mind the nay sayers we know you are a good person.
  • dead duck (28/09/2021, 23:08) Like (6) Dislike (16) Reply
    TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.....HE GONE
  • young blood (29/09/2021, 06:14) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    VOTE SHAQ FOR A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
  • BVI love (29/09/2021, 14:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Natalio Wheatley has made continuous efforts in the district and rather than encourage positive efforts and behaviour, we find ways to be negative. We live in a place where politicians are expected to fix problems that existed long before their tenure within 2 years of being in office. How unreasonable can we be?? Things often take place that do not make it to the media houses and is often overlooked, but I guess that happens when someone is genuine and not doing for the camera. Instead of spreading hate, spread positive energy. If you have an idea for different initiatives, share them with him instead of calling down the things he does. Be a part of the solution, not the problem. Dr. Wheatley, continue your efforts and be encouraged!
  • Press on (01/10/2021, 13:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Wheatley you will not be able to please everyone, but just keep doing the best you can. Your efforts are appreciated by many who are not on these blogs.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.