PHOTO of Day: An Ex-Premier O’Neal & a national ‘Shero’ Ms Lake
Just yesterday Saturday, November 3, 2018, the church hosted the final home-going service for Cultural Icon, trailblazer, Legislator and Virgin Islands patriot Hon Delores Lettsome-Christopher (R5).
Today, Sunday, November 4, 2018, the church had another two of VI’s national treasures, the territory’s first Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE and national ‘Shero’ Ms Patsy C. Lake. Businesswomen Ms Lake is the lady that helped saved Wickhams Cay, and portions of Anegada meanwhile Mr O’Neal was all smile as he greeted family and well-wishers.
Hon. O’Neal is the only legislator to hold the title of Member Emeritus of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands. His other accomplishments include being the second Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), the Chief Minister to even Premier and the list goes on.
Hon O’Neal a national hero
Mr O’Neal served as the first Premier after defeating the now ruling National Democratic Party (NDP-before they split into two wings) in 2007 in a landslide 11 to 2 win. Hon. O’Neal was responsible for the BVI London Office even when some in the NDP opposed it, however, today the office remains a source of international pride. It was Mr O’Neal who was responsible for some 98% of all roads cut and paved on Virgin Gorda and Anegada, the Ninth District that he represented for over 35 years.
Under Hon O’Neal's VIP Government, he ensured that the people of Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada earn land titles, built the North Sound and Valley Administration Buildings and the Bregado Flax Educational Centre.
It was Mr O’Neal who did it!
It was Premier O’Neal and the VIP who negotiated UK passports for VI Nationals plus completed and named the Ellis Thomas Downs, upgraded the then BVI High School (L shaped building) and started the new Peebles Hospital project.
It was a VIP Government with Hon O’Neal in the then Executive Council that built the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, the H.L. Stoutt Community College and cut all the new roads on Tortola and Jost van Dyke. He also improved and expanded water and electricity coverage in the territory and is credited with improving the bilateral relationship with our neighbour, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), among many other things.
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17 Responses to “PHOTO of Day: An Ex-Premier O’Neal & a national ‘Shero’ Ms Lake”
He was also the first leader to sack a Minister. Bald head would have been gone under Ralph watch.
While honoring Shero for saving Wickhams Cay and Anegada, what happened to the two surviving gentlemen who actually fought the fight?
Mr. Smith and Mr. Nibbs. We need to spread the whole story and give praise and honor while one has Breath!
I was wondering the same thing. She wasnt the main force behind that march for Wickham's Cay but gets all the limelight and the others who did the real fighting are forgotten on the way side because they aren't up in people's faces. We really need to do better in this place, once we know better.
Ms lake was a serious part of the movement in fact she did as much as noel lyode but because we live in a sexist culture she is not given the credit due
Patsy Lake has forever been associated with the march, not saying she didn't partake, but be reminded her association has only been used to further her own image and profit, don't get it twisted. It's always nice to honor our locals but BE TRUTHFUL.
With all the history the Virgin Islands have its time to make a History class in the schools that focus mainly on our government, our rights, our locals, our history. Not just a discussion in the classrooms, but a full complete educational course that's required just like English and Math. We have students that don't even understands their voting rights, the limits of the ruling parties, why a governor is appointed, REALLY. Our education Minister and department heads needs to deal with our youths understanding where their history comes from before they can lead our country in the future.
REALLY, that's how we do now and wonder why so much inner discorse.