USVI Gov Kenneth E. Mapp pledges greater collaboration with VI
![The [British] Virgin Islands led the Friendship Day march from Maria's by the Sea to the Central Administration Complex where the opening ceremony for the VI/USVI Friendship Day event was held. Photo: VINO](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_i_IMG_2737_01.JPG)
Governor Mapp was at the time briefly addressing the fair sized gathering at the occasion of the 42nd celebration of USVI/VI Friendship Day. The event was celebrated on the frontage of the Central Administration Complex in Road Town on October 24, 2015.
The day started out with representatives from the USVI meeting this territory's leaders and other recognised persons at the home of Governor John S. Duncan OBE and his wife. This was followed by a brief meeting over breakfast with Premier Smith and Governor Mapp.
Governor Mapp told the gathering at the Central Administration Complex that his relationship with Premier Smith started in August this year when they met very briefly at a horse race meet. The next time they met in their official capacities was at yesterday's Friendship Day celebration. It was then that the two leaders made a commitment to work together.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith extended special recognition to former USVI Governor Charles W. Turnbull as, according to Premier Smith, Mr Turnbull and himself worked together very closely creating the VI/USVI council.
"This morning I had a brief meeting with Governor Mapp and I can tell you Governor Turnbull that, based on that discussion, Governor Mapp and I will also work together towards a greater friendship," said Premier Smith.
As a show of the commitment to the friendship the USVI shares with this territory, Governor Mapp said the flag of the Virgin Islands will be flown in St Thomas, Catherinburg, Battery Hill, Government houses in Christiansted and Freddericksted, USVI, from sunrise on Friday October 23, 2015 to sunset today October 25, 2015.
He said the friendship of the two territories is of great significance as the makeup of the two territories is diverse with people from various parts of the world. He noted, however, that most of the people of St Thomas and St John, USVI have their roots in the BVI.
He also noted that his roots are from the BVI as he is from St Croix but his foreparents hail from the island of Jost Van Dyke.
"But let me tell you that my mother's mother, my grandmother is the last of 16 children, the last three born on St Thomas but the others are from the island of Jost Van Dyke," Governor Mapp recalled and, on a light note, added: "Governor Turnbull says he will take me down to the appropriate office so I can get my Belonger’s card before I return to the Virgin Islands."
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15 Responses to “USVI Gov Kenneth E. Mapp pledges greater collaboration with VI”
They say the same sh"£ every year such a waste of tax payers money
Such an uneducated comment.
The bands playing in the USVI is such a small thing compared to what this celebration is really about.
This celebration can't so easily change the laws for the benefits of few.