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Luce D. Hodge-Smith not expecting D4 to be ‘handed over on a silver platter’

- 4th District Rep hopeful has eyes set on constituency when Hon Mark H. Vanterpool exits politics
Political aspirant, Mrs. Luce D. Hodge-Smith says she still has her eyes set on District 4 as a possible representative for the area, after current representative, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) retires from politics. Photo: VINO/File
Back in the 2019 General Elections in the VI, Hodge-Smith’s 385 total votes as a Virgin Islands Party candidate for District 4 was not enough to trump the incumbent Mark H. Vanterpool’s 442 votes under the National Democratic Party (NDP). Photo: Facebook/File
Back in the 2019 General Elections in the VI, Hodge-Smith’s 385 total votes as a Virgin Islands Party candidate for District 4 was not enough to trump the incumbent Mark H. Vanterpool’s 442 votes under the National Democratic Party (NDP). Photo: Facebook/File
The Fourth District encompasses Road Town, the capital city of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The Fourth District encompasses Road Town, the capital city of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Political aspirant Mrs Luce D. Hodge-Smith says she still has her eyes set on the possibility of being
a representative for the Fourth District when current representative Hon Mark H. Vanterpool retires from politics.

Vanterpool takes D4 in winning streak

Back in the 2019 General Elections in the VI, Hodge-Smith’s 385 total votes, although a significant amount as a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidate for District 4, were not enough to trump Hon Vanterpool’s 442 votes under the National Democratic Party (NDP).

Hon Vanterpool has recently announced; however, he is exiting the life of politics and will not contest for office again.

The veteran legislator had resigned then retracted his resignation after winning the Fourth District seat in 2019; however, this time the former Minister of Communications and Works said he will have no change of heart regarding the decision following a promise he made to his family.

Work still has to be done - Hodge-Smith 

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on a recent Fourth District back-to-school charity programme, Mrs Hodge-Smith, when questioned about Vanterpool’s exit and what that means for her political career; said although the legislator will retire, she recognises that the work still has to be done in order to take the seat.

“You can’t take it for granted, we still have to show that interest… you can’t expect that it will be handed over on a silver platter. I still have to work, earn the constituents’ trust and their support,” she told VINO.

“The fact that Mr Vanterpool has indicated that he is no longer going to contest the elections doesn’t mean that it’s an automatic for me,” Mrs Hodge-Smith further said.

The Fourth District Representative hopeful indicated that some of the work will include letting the people of the district know she is serious and interested in being the next representative for the area, as she laid out some of her plans for the district.

Plans for the district

According to Mrs Hodge-Smith, she intends to clean up and beautify the Fourth District, given that it is the capital and the representation of the people of the territory.

Most importantly she said, people will be placed first under her representation to help and empower citizens with whatever issues and challenges they face.

“There are some folks out there, they need jobs, they need assistance with jobs… and they need to know how to keep those jobs with training on how to get those jobs,” she said.

People first approach

Mrs Hodge-Smith also said she intends to incubate entrepreneurial aspirations in the district, especially in women in the area and others who have products to showcase and take to market.

She also touched on the need for the refurbishment of local recreational areas such as the local basketball courts, which she says will form part of her immediate plans to assist and get facilities up and running in a safe manner with good lighting.

Her ultimate goal, she underscored, is to be there for the people, deal with the issues as they come, and 'just don’t stop' until issues are resolved, and matters are addressed in collaboration with the people.

“But the main thing is to be accessible to the people when they call, as much as you can, you answer their calls and you meet with them and you help them to help themselves,” Hodge-Smith said.

15 Responses to “Luce D. Hodge-Smith not expecting D4 to be ‘handed over on a silver platter’”

  • Hell no (08/09/2021, 10:40) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
    VIP refused to give women ministerial seats
    • wow (08/09/2021, 12:04) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      @Hello no

      We going to take Our Stanse. If We elected Women next Election, they are going to be in Charge of Ministries. They not going to accept no Jr. Minister portfolio ( especially if they appear to be more knowledge able of the Ministry) even Finance.
    • @hell no. Blame the women (08/09/2021, 12:42) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Cant blame andrew and VIP for the 3 stoogies that sit on tbe back bench...They have the power to make changed in their favor....They lack courage, self esteem, self convidence....
  • ITS TIME (08/09/2021, 11:14) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    TO LET THE LADIES TAKE CONTROL ( NOT THE THE ONE WITH AMNESIA
  • salt island (08/09/2021, 11:58) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    We the voters of the fourth will hand it to you not to worry
    • Ministerial changes needed (08/09/2021, 13:28) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      In other countries you have junior ministers responsible for running ministries...I don't know what our constitution says about that...I would like to see Tourism be added to Carvin. I would like to see social security be taken from Vincent and be given to either the Premier or the deputy too big for Vincent.. I would like to see a Junior minister in charge of Agriculture focus on that build that industry,. I also will like to see a Junior minister be responsible for sports and youth development, focus on those make a difference.....
  • tri party opposition (08/09/2021, 12:06) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Girl you're in the right church but sitting in the wrong pew
  • VIP is a mess. (08/09/2021, 12:50) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    Your win would have been an easy one but with this mess that VIP is making...People maybe afraid to touch anything that says VIP....I would like to see you get the opportunity. .Pls when you do, or if you do, dont settle for no back bench warming machine...fight to make a difference, Culture is yours fight for it...Education had belong to Decastro, but she weak, refuse to fight, now she may not get another opportunity, only herself to blame...
    • Buffalo Soldier. (10/09/2021, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @VIP is a mess

      I was so inspired when I used to hear DE Castro speak when she was running for the office. I thought something new was coming cause she sounded so convincing. I gave her my vote along with my district representative but once she won the seat she got comfortable and became quiet. you don't hear from her not even behind the scene. she just there collecting a paycheck. I doubt I will vote next election
  • 4th district (08/09/2021, 13:51) Like (4) Dislike (14) Reply
    I wonder who else going run in that position, Ronnie Skeleton, 4th looking like a easy win now for vip.
  • Imperfect One (08/09/2021, 13:52) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Like oil resist mixing with water because of their differences, your expectation of mixing religion and politics will surely prove your illfaithed journey to be a pull down, rather than a pull up, if you change not your mind.



  • Really??? (08/09/2021, 15:24) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Anyone, anyone at all really think VIP got a snowball's chance in hell after the COI get finished with them?
    • josiah'sbay (08/09/2021, 21:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Really???: After the COI if real efforts to improve governance is not implemented it wont make a difference, NDP or VIP. If real checks and balances are not put in place then captain "VIP" or "captain "NDP" will still run us aground. We have to sit down and mull over what those changes might be and how to make them part of the machinery.
  • dude (08/09/2021, 16:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The NDP have nothing but 5 bloggers. They had no plans for anything and just want to get back in power but all their people who we trust are leaving them. Luce would've worked harder than Mark is right now.
  • Imperfect servant (08/09/2021, 20:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    In our state of political tumult we do not know now whether or not the UK, because of the CoI probing, will or will not take control of this country Day to day running. But here are we fighting over who we think will be elected, and who will not in the next general election 2023. This is surely a civil war. Thanks to God that we are not fighting it with guns, knives, cutlasses, Strick's, and stones, but rather with our mouths.
    Praise the Lord!!!!


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