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VIP gala to honour founding members; raise funds to pay bills

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) 46th anniversary gala is two-fold; honour founding members as well as to raise funds to pay the party’s outstanding bills from the 2015 General Election. Photo: Provided
According to Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman and Opposition Leader, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the Virgin Islands Party was left in some serious ‘financial positions’ after the 2015 snap elections. Photo: VINO/File
According to Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman and Opposition Leader, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the Virgin Islands Party was left in some serious ‘financial positions’ after the 2015 snap elections. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- In what he hopes will become an annual fixture in the calendar of events for the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Chairman of the VIP and Opposition Leader Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has revealed that the aim of the 46th anniversary gala is two-fold; honour founding members as well as to raise funds to pay the party’s outstanding bills from the 2015 General Election.

The gala will be held this Saturday March 4, 2017 at the Cutlass Tower in Wickham’s Cay І from 7:00 PM. The cost of the ticket is $100 per person and can be sourced from Team VIP members and Speedy’s ticket outlets at Virgin Gorda and Road Town and Sun Bloom Beauty Supply at R & R Malone Complex in Pockwood Pond.

Honourees

The honourees are Omar W. Hodge, Oliver Cills, the late Reeial A. George, Naomi Turnbull and Donald Pickering.

In an interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Hon Fahie said as the party celebrates its 46th anniversary, they realised that they have gotten this far by faith, and is grateful to God for this milestone, however, they realised that God allowed a few persons in 1971, 46 years ago to take a leap of faith to create the VIP.

“And we recognise that the Virgin Islands is a much better place today because of the contributions of our founding fathers and the founding members of the VIP. And we do not want to see their hard work, dedication and contributions die with them. We want to remember them but we want to refuel the VIP to make sure that it is a viable option for persons to decide upon to be the next Government of the VI,” he said.

“In so doing, it is always wise for any organisation to pay respect for those who have made strong foundations for them to be able to enjoy and build,” Hon Fahie added.

Annual anniversary to be celebrated

The Opposition Leader said the VIP intends to celebrate their anniversary from this year forward on an annual basis.

“It is our intention to have this to be annual. We had this type of celebration almost 16 to 17 years ago. But being the new Chairman we have a very vibrant fundraising committee and they have decided that we must make sure that we do this annually. So every year we are going to be honouring more of our founding fathers and charter members and past legislators. In terms of our celebrations, we will be doing it in different forms nevertheless, honouring them we will.”

He pointed out that the future belongs to the prepared and the VIP is making sure that despite the challenges that they face, that they work and fix, but they are growing where they are planted so as to ensure that they move on to another level.

VIP left in serious financial position

Hon Fahie remarked that they are going to have a lot of other fundraisers and other public forums in the future so that they can ensure that a strong VIP is built, respecting the work of our forefathers do not die when they die.

“There is no secret, the VIP has been left in some serious financial positions and since I took over as Chairman, I have made it clear that we have to move towards paying our bills and take the party from those challenging areas that it has been left in and move to the other level,” he said. “So there is no secret that this is one of our main aims that we are going towards. We have a lot of existing expenses still outstanding from the last general election,” he pointed out.

23 Responses to “VIP gala to honour founding members; raise funds to pay bills”

  • cay (04/03/2017, 10:50) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    The party is divided
  • good (04/03/2017, 10:50) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good initiative
  • Excellent (04/03/2017, 10:52) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is always good to recognize those who paved the way for us today.
  • wize up (04/03/2017, 11:06) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    The great old days ; the people's people(the old time Virgin Islands Political Party)....will we ever see those days again(where a group came together for the benefit of the people)
  • Dragon (04/03/2017, 11:46) Like (8) Dislike (19) Reply
    "to pay the party’s outstanding bills from the 2015 General Election." If the V.I.P. can not pay 2015 bills yet how can they handle the finances of a country?
    • wize up (04/03/2017, 15:57) Like (8) Dislike (114) Reply
      @ dragon: you sound like you have inside information(welcome to the club)...when I tried to collect I was informed that district 3 bills got paid by the former chairman(the rest of us must go sit down) they don't pay bills and they can not organize 15 members but want to preside over 30 thousand of us !!!!
  • Hmm (04/03/2017, 12:25) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    All that back stabbing they need help to pay bills. Well take it to the Lord in prayer he would help you. I remember Hon fahie said his money is to help west end. And I think no matter what if a person asked for a little assistance you can help, not throw a negative talk. So by all that said and done, I believe it would be a poor turn out the price alone.
  • apple pie (04/03/2017, 16:59) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    I am not convinced in any way that Fahie can deal with funny man and TT man!!!.
    • voiceofthevoiceless (04/03/2017, 18:55) Like (5) Dislike (19) Reply
      He handles and exposes them well in the House. This is a good initiative to raise funds but more importantly a great gesture to show gratitude to the founding members of the Party who have helped to build this country. This is the first time in 17 years that they have celebrated an anniversary? In three months Andrew already has two functions and I cannot recall any functions during the last Chairman's tenure.

      Kudos to Andrew and the VIP Executive.
  • sowada (04/03/2017, 17:21) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    Vip all the way
  • Fund raising (04/03/2017, 18:56) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fund raising for political parties is done worldwide all the time. In the US it is an expensive event where a plate costs upwards 1200.00. So tell me what's the problem here again? A formal dinner will bring in alot more that a fish fry
    • Regulah! (05/03/2017, 00:59) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      The fish fries are for the regular folk which are the majority but expensive plates are for the stoosh! VIP are supposed to be for the regular folk! Doan cut your own throat!
      • @Regulah (07/03/2017, 07:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        VIP should be for everybody. It is people like you that would keep the party from progressing.
  • ... (04/03/2017, 20:54) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Survival and respect.
  • big question (04/03/2017, 23:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    WHERE WERE THE DELEGATES WHO CAME OUT IN NUMBERS TO VOTE OUT FRASER???
    • wize up (05/03/2017, 11:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ big question: the delegates that voted out fraser did their jobs: when the set of them comes from USVI to vote for Fraser after Election Day do you them?
      • fan of fraser (05/03/2017, 12:00) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        One thing i know for sure is that the VIP never won an election without district 3 and those same st.thomas votes, so you could take that to the bank!
        • wize up (05/03/2017, 13:49) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
          @ fan of Fraser: big deal because Fraser can only win in the 3 district(why you don't have fraser run at large)..
  • Bohannon (05/03/2017, 02:25) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Sucker for politics gain. Sucker for love. Who is the next popsickle?


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