Mr. Sylvester wants the Premier to explain why VIslanders are finding it difficult to get trade licenses.

Premier Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE.

According to Mr. Sylvester, there are lots of issues with trade licenses in the district since many persons have applied for the past four or five years and have not received them.

“And no reason has been given. I am saying to the current Premier of this country if you cannot tell the people why you can’t give them a trade license, release it. Speak to your staff. Let them release the people. Entrepreneurship is important to this country. Without entrepreneurs we are going to go under...But don’t worry on November 8 you will get all of them released.”

Continuing on the topic of empowering the people of the district that he is seeking to represent in the 2nd House of Assembly, Mr. Sylvester said a recently job search conducted saw some 36 persons coming forward. “Of that 36, 13 of them had dropped out of school and didn’t know about the vocational programmes at the college. We are working with them now to ensure that they get to the college and they get the requisite training needed to take their rightful places in society.”

In seeking to justify his reason for running as an independent candidate rather than attach himself to a party, Mr. Sylvester urged voters to be bold and swing away from the old thinking that only a party can represent the country well.

“We have an old habit that they are the ones we should put our trust in, however, as progress, as the world goes on we must make bold decisions. We must say party politics has had its time and place. The vision and candidate who intend to lead the way forward is the way to go today and tonight we are calling on you to be bold, to be different and to bring the best result ever to the 8th District by electing me to the 2nd House of Assembly.”

The candidate told residents to look around and ask themselves what has party politics done for them lately. “You the people want easier access to credit so you can start your business. That’s what we want, that’s what we need and that’s what you are going to get. We are sick and tired of hand-outs.”

Mr. Sylvester also explained his decision to run in the district rather than as an at At Large candidate since he said many persons were also convinced that he should have run At Large. “Tonight I give you my total commitment. Many people outside the area are convinced that I should have run at large. I am honoured and flattered...but in this defining moment in the history of the British Virgin Islands, I have decided to put my energies and focus in the 8th District. I would like to contribute to the better life of every Virgin Islander but remember charity begins at home. And I will focus on delivering every single matter on my agenda to the people of the 8th District and then the rest of the nation.”