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by pltm
[gallery]The newly-revealed candidates of the Ronnie Skelton-led Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) have placed their focus areas in public light, with much attention being directed on land and home ownership, unemployment and effective governance.
During the party’s launch yesterday, December 7, the candidates on the new party’s ticket were revealed.
The At Large candidates are Hon. Ronnie Skelton; former NDP Women's Association Chairperson, Shaina Smith; former Health Minister under the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Hon. Dancia Penn, QC; and Apostle Carnel P. Fahie.
Hon. Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull will seek re-election in District Two, while former President of the BVI Taxi Association, Mr. Karl Scatliffe will be contesting for District Four.
For District Five on the PVIM ticket is former Customs Head, Mr. Wade Smith, while Mr. Jose DeCastro, a Registered Architect who served as the Deputy Director in the Public Works Department, will be contesting for the District Nine seat.
100-Day Agenda
Addressing those present at the launch in Fish Bay, leader of the party, Hon. Skelton said, “In our first 100 days in office, our agenda will address the following pivotal areas. The post hurricane rebuilding and recovery of the country; the substantial increase in property insurance premiums; the post hurricane unemployment levels in the territory…”
The other areas he spoke of include the lack of affordable housing, facilitation of land and home ownership for Virgin Islanders, and youth empowerment.
He further asserted that he will place attention 
(PLTM) - on, “Addressing government corruption by giving the Auditor General the necessary resources to investigate all cases.”
Adding her voice, Ms. Smith—an Engineer, Project Manager and Businesswoman—declared, “The old mindset that created a problem cannot solve it and a new philosophy and new way of thinking is the only solution.”
She also told of her platform of seeking to develop “a Virgin Islands where women are protected and empowered, and children are safe.”
Apostle Fahie, who described himself as a seventh generation Virgin Islander shared that among other things, a lack of effective and caring leadership led to his decision to run for political office.
“I want to be part of the solution,” he declared.
The religious leader, who is also a counselor, will be lobbying for education reform, as well as the rehabilitation and construction of new schools.
He said he will, “seek better compensation packages for our teachers so we could retain and attract the best teachers, counselors and social workers, along with increasing the number and accessibility of after school programmes which is very necessary.”
To those who question why he, as a religious figure, is running for office, he said, “Is there not a cause?"
Former Head of the Taxi Association, Mr. Scatliffe—who is also a former athlete and sports enthusiast—said that in his bid for the District Four seart, he will be placing heavy focus on infrastructure and facilities.
“We’re going to make sure there’s a community center where kids can come and they can get additional help in the after school programme.”
As it relates to youth unemployment, he said that young people are being overlooked for better opportunities because, “There are people on top sitting that don’t want to leave.”
Wade Smith, who resigned from his long-time post as Customs Head, told those supporters gathered that it is time for a change. While he shared the positions of his running mates, he divulged that he would be focusing on tourism development. “The development of land based tourism will have an impact on our local businesses. Our restaurants, car rentals, shops and hotels. I will focus on promoting regional tourism, attracting persons to the BVI for reunions, functions, conferences, sports tourism and medical tourism, which will have people spending time and money in our shores,” Mr. Smith posited.
Meanwhile, the Ninth District Candidate, Mr. Jose De Castro—a Registered Architect—said that a lack of leadership in the Ninth District was a deciding factor in his choice to become a candidate.
Added to that he said was the lack of confidence in his opponents in the Virgin Islands Party—former Sister Islands Coordinator, Mr. Vincent Wheatley, and the current District Nine Representative who will be running for the National Democratic Party, Dr. Hubert O’Neal.
Previous Article Published December 7—PVIM Unveils Candidates
The Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) has unveiled eight of their candidates for the upcoming General Elections. This was done during the party's official launch today, December 7.
So far, the four At Large candidates are founder of the movement, Hon. Ronnie Skelton; former NDP Women's Association Chairperson, Shaina Smith; former Health Minister under the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Hon. Dancia Penn, QC; and Carnel P. Fahie.
For District Two, current District Two Representative, Hon. Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull will be running once again, this time on the PVIM ticket.
Mr. Carl Scatliffe will be contesting for District Four, while former Customs Head, Mr. Wade Smith will run for District Five.
Mr. Jose DeCastro will be contesting the District Nine seat.
This leaves five candidates outstanding.
BVI Platinum News will provide updates as they become available.
