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Look forward to clean up & transformation of RT ‘very soon’– Hon Hodge-Smith

Fourth District Representative Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith giving brief remarks at Cappoon's Bay Playfield on Saturday, April 20, 2024, during the presentation launch of Dr the Hon Karl Dawson's (R1) first district report to the community. Photo: Facebook
Fourth District Representative and Jr Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith has promised a transformation of her district, including Road Town, which she acknowledged as needing to be cleaned up. Photo: VINO/File
Fourth District Representative and Jr Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith has promised a transformation of her district, including Road Town, which she acknowledged as needing to be cleaned up. Photo: VINO/File
CAPPOON’S BAY, Tortola, VI- Fourth District Representative and Jr Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith has promised a transformation of her district, including Road Town, which she acknowledged as needing to be cleaned up.

Hon Smith’s statement came as part of brief remarks at Cappoon's Bay Playfield on Saturday, April 20, 2024, during the presentation launch of Dr the Hon Karl Dawson's (R1) first district report to the community.

“Yes, I recognise all the issues, all the complaints about the 4th District, that it needs to be cleaned up and it is our capital, and we have a real, real ethical responsibility, moral responsibility, to clean it up.”

She said the cleanup is not just for visitors but for the people of the VI, where persons are working behind the scenes daily trying to get plans in motion, putting plans on paper, and getting funding for the project.

“And then you have to source the funds and we have sourced some funds. We do have some plans and you will see some transformation of Road Town very soon. Trust me, believe you me, this is what we're doing, and we will be seeing some works coming up very soon,” she added.

'We all need to not be ashamed' of our freedom from slavery

On the culture and tourism front, Hon Hodge-Smith said the 70th anniversary of the Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival will be grand, and persons should participate in any way possible.

“This is our significant cultural and historical event that happens every year. We are celebrating our emancipation from slavery. We should be very happy that we are free from slavery, so we need to recognise it, and we all need to embrace it, and we all need to not be ashamed of it and to participate,” the Jr Minister added.

She also encouraged vendors, individuals, and families to support the festival. "Bring your families to all the events support and let us make Festival 2024 - 70th anniversary in festival, the way we know it and how we celebrate it and make it a grand affair,” Hon Hodge-Smith added.

36 Responses to “Look forward to clean up & transformation of RT ‘very soon’– Hon Hodge-Smith”

  • M (22/04/2024, 13:14) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    My daughter in box u for a job on your face book
  • D1 (22/04/2024, 13:34) Like (29) Dislike (11) Reply
    Look how long you there now you cleaning?
  • 2024 (22/04/2024, 13:36) Like (32) Dislike (8) Reply
    Might be very nice if VIP will consider putting the traffic patterns in Road Town how it was for many many many years
  • long bush (22/04/2024, 13:43) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mark coming back that is an issue for me
  • Winky (22/04/2024, 13:49) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope you are a person of your word ! Roadtown and the rest of Tortola is a dump and has earned a reputation worldwide. The area around Inner Harbour Marina , right outside the cruise pier is a DISCRACE .
  • Thim (22/04/2024, 14:15) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply
    East End is a third world zone.
  • Stealth (22/04/2024, 14:20) Like (44) Dislike (3) Reply
    Cleaning up Road Town, the Capital of Tortola, and the (British) Virgin Islands(VI) should not take a special project perhaps to score political point(s). Maintaining the capital city which is the business, finance, entertainment, sports, as well as the seat of government, in a clean, orderly, healthy, etc state which should be routine and occur as the clock move from hour to hour, as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This is the certainty with things should occur. There should be a no tolerance for thrashing the Road Town; take a page from Singapore. Whose fault is it? The fault lies with the laxness of government, district four reps, the residents, etc. Here is a news flash for residents. Stop the nastiness, thrashiness and help keep the city clean. Do something. See something do something. Take pride in where you live. The VI is in the visitor business and revenue from which contribute much to the GDP, delivering of services.
    • Mustang (23/04/2024, 16:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      To Stealth, you are under the radar, in th dark, but shining a bright light on things. The appearance of Road Town, is not aesthetically pleasing and in a deplorable condition and is embarrassing and shameful. Government should hang its head in shame for letting Road Town get in this thrashy and non aesthetically pleasing state.. Government is laser focused on the forest while the invasive weeds are out of control in the capital city. What is the impression are visitors walking way with??

      The BVI has a strange approach to governing, ie, how resources are distributed among districts. The sitting government has the responsibility and power on how resources are distributed among districts. Typically, resources should be distributed commensurately based on needs, not on how a majority of voters voted, punishing some voters on how they voted. The Premier as the leader of the country has a responsibility for ensuring that public resources are evenly and commensurately distributed to the best extent possible and practical. Districts are small and lack the means to individually grow their own economies as is done in large local locales within larger countries, ie, states in US, provinces in Canada, counties in the UK, etc. Even so these smaller locales depend on central government. Government must established the framed work, the planning, etc so, that all districts have the opportunity to flourish. Resources should not be distributed on how people voted in a particular areas. Citizens pool their resources ( taxes and fees) for government to provide resources. As such resources are not distributed based on how much an contributed., for it is one territory. We need to get out the current polarized, divided, etc state.
      • RealPol (23/04/2024, 17:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        To Mustang, great take on idealism of governing in the BVI but way off on the realism. Politics run things. Indeed, citizens in districts pool their resources , so that government can deliver services based on needs. The fees and taxes district residents contribute to government do not go into a reserved district pot; it goes into a collective pot , for delivering services according to needs..But neither at the 30,000 or 30’ level this is not what happens. Resources are distributed based on political leanings. Who to blame? The people..It is a representative democracy and government does what people lets it get away with.
    • Bourgeoisie Professor (24/04/2024, 07:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Cleaning our house, home, is routine, is it not? Is not Road Town our home , our capital city, and should cleaning it and keeping it not also be routine. Is doing what shoukd be done routinely worthy of a big accomplishment on someone’s check list?
  • See (22/04/2024, 15:10) Like (19) Dislike (4) Reply
    It's a dump and has been for decades. Fine people for littering and dumping . Take away their driver'S license at least
  • Hrmph (22/04/2024, 15:29) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    I wonder why she has waited so long to even say that she is going to start! Is there an election coming soon?
  • tola (22/04/2024, 15:42) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    The smell bad bad bad in road town
    • Missing Morning Braft. (23/04/2024, 05:19) Like (41) Dislike (2) Reply
      Heritage what's going on with morning braft. We missed it. Can't take this hot headed, disrespectful, dictator on that other station. It's her way or everyone else wrong..Oh my God. What kind of person is this. She does all the talking. She knows it all..No wonder you had to run her..
  • ausar (22/04/2024, 16:09) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope that your statements, Representave HodgeSmith, will be the impetus needed for the sprucing up of the town!

    Cleaning of guts, the painting of buildings, cleaning up in between buildings of trash, and debris..Cutting down of overgrown shrubbery, Proper signage of buildings and locations..

    Road Town needs help!

    All of Tortola need help!

    It seems to me, everyone is concerned only to drive around in fancy cars, wearing the fanciest of clothes, talking about the billions of dollars that passes through the economy, all the while, the place looks, feels, and smells of filth..

    We need a change in priorities..!!!
  • WHAT!!! (22/04/2024, 16:20) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please clean up the festival grounds . What is up with all the pallets, tent, and stuff that has been there for months???
  • No plan at all (22/04/2024, 16:26) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    My dear, you rushed to come and speak to the people about marching last year but not rushing to put notice on abandoned vehicles parked by Elmore Stoutt and that same ridiculous wooden house that has been parked at the bandstand since last year carnival season. And that is the least, do you need volunteers to assist? I would sign up but it’s extremely hard to get in contact with you.
    I know everyone is asking you for money but you don’t have to hold 1 hour conversations with people who are begging! Direct them to Social development. Cut that long talk short!
    Seek out private and public individuals who are willing to help you plan a clean up course for our Road Town community. Many residents want to help but if there is no plan, it’s pointless.
    • Sad to say. (23/04/2024, 05:07) Like (44) Dislike (7) Reply
      I ain't voting for no more women. Period..Have seen enough failures, weaknesses, empty barrels, no substance...Look at how these women in power corrupting America..Women can't handle power, their skin are thin, they are very personal and emotional, Power high, andrevengeful as well.. "Cindy is the the worse, can't take opposing opinions, get extremely mad if you don't agree with her.. She kept disrespcting pope. .If you are a lady running don't waste your time coming to my door for votes..

    • Manjack (23/04/2024, 17:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      To No Plan at Alll,,the
      • Manjack (24/04/2024, 16:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        To No Plan at All, planning, organizing,directing and controlling are not the forte of BVI governing ..It is our Achilles Heel, our weakness. Politicians are self-serving. It was former US President Ronald Regan who quipped that politics is the second oldest profession..Is it and what’s the first?
  • skuntington (22/04/2024, 16:46) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    clean up main street and back street from the hospital while youre at it
  • background (22/04/2024, 19:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Road Town now fill with all manner of clubs and hair salons where English is a Foreign Language
  • hmm (22/04/2024, 19:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    All of you sound so DUMB putting your faith in a few politicians as if they give a sh**. Nothing will change, same bulls*** over and over. Big elected official in office over a year and promising to clean! lol

  • Law Abiding citizen (22/04/2024, 21:15) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Speaking with a first hand experience with Luce. I affirm that she’s the most incompetent representative the 4th district ever had. Absolute waste!
  • Gumbs (22/04/2024, 22:49) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    no need for hammering Luce we not exchanging her for Sandy or Mark
  • mad max (23/04/2024, 04:20) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
    Elections are long over. Stop the promises and start some actions. Long overdue!
  • VG (23/04/2024, 08:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please don't forget the Prospect reef area breeding ground for mosquito's and when it rains the road is horrible. Its about time the entire place get graded down until smart minds decide to make it something.
  • Laslow (23/04/2024, 09:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    That government always have something coming soon with no official timeline or date just very soon.
  • Real Macoy (23/04/2024, 10:57) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    To be honest a few things especially in Road Town needs to be looked at urgently.
    First of all the up keep of the cross walks is very important. Most of them are badly faded and needs to be properly repainted. This is a very serious situation because sometimes you driving and you don't realize there is a cross walk, and you almost struct someone when they about to cross the street. The next thing is that cross road next to the police station that take you across to the Botanic Garden, needs a stop light very urgently before more serious accidents occur and kill someone. That huge aged tamarind tree next to that same cross road, that have been there over sixty years is also traffic hazard because you can hardly see when a car is closely approaching. The road in front the court house also need stop light. Tortola traffic and population have increased rapidly and because of that no one wants to give way in a busy traffic. Because of that we have so many traffic accidents from time to time. Please district representative for the fourth, we need action quick before tourist or anyone collide and kill someone.
    Thanks much in advance.
  • Road Town Rebel (23/04/2024, 11:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone living in Road Town. Doing business in Road Town. Owns property in Road Town.. You all should be a shame. Clean up your own back yards and dispose of garbage properly. Government did not soiled the city. And to the fackers who lime by the road sides and gas stations. Dispose of your liquor bottles properly.
    • Really? (26/04/2024, 17:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree. Especially the business community. In some places they would be fined because they are in the capital, the main city. Bobby’s is the biggest disgrace on that corner. He acts like the sidewalk is his. It’s ALWAYS occupied by him, and the smell!!! Some of them need to repaint their buildings and stop leaving boxes by the building after they have removed the merchandise from them. Those with racks of clothing outside and tables like it’s a flea market, all that mess needs to stop. If they don’t comply, fined them. If they don’t pay their fines then do not renew their license. Those residents that live by the roadside with old cars and such in their yards and along the road need to be fined as well. They are breathing grounds for pests and hazards in a hurricane.
  • Disinterested (23/04/2024, 11:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Politicians continue to fool us with their overpromising and underdelivering. They come to us Recharge with fairy tales about representing our interest, the public interest, but the reality is their animating force is their self-interest, status, influence, station in life, power, etc.. Putting our trust in them is fools gold. Check this,, the current D-4 rep says she is not a politician but she is in politics? WTF!! If one is not a politician but is in the middle of the political arena, one is not doing the things associated with being an effective politician and not making the sacrifices to properly represent constituents. The residents of District 4 must shoulder some of the blame for the deplorable condition of the district.. They cannot just vote on Election Day and wait for things to happen. Instead, they must get engage, holding the representatives ( D4, and 4 At Large) feet to the fire, requiring action. Don’t reward poor performance for meagre political patronage, putting territory over self/interest.
  • Cleaning town (24/04/2024, 13:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It seems as if government scared to pit it foot down on abandon houses and property in the city them need to be demolished and make way for a brighter better road town gone are the days of the names of ppl still ruling the town it government we need modern buildings and business to make the town look like a town fast food out let's shopping mall to sell clothes electronics shoes and house hold appliances and restaurants get an update town.
  • KB (24/04/2024, 16:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ALL TALK NO ACTION!!!! One year gone and nothing from you!


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