THIRD DISTRICT CHRISTMAS PARTY JAN 2013

A crook will always be a crook! - Hon. Fraser to NDP Government
- Says he will not give up on fight to bring development to SCB
January 20th, 2013 | Tags: Hon. Julian Fraser RA annual party at Ellis Thomas Downs crook National Democratic Party development Sea Cow's Bay

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI - "I am not going to give up .... The best is yet to come. There is no reason on God's earth why Sea Cows Bay should be the way it is right now. For years this district has to be relying on Road Town for commerce. There is no way it should continue," so said the man who has jurisdiction over the Third District, Hon. Julian Fraser RA while referring to the government as a crook. "...and a crook is a crook and will always be a crook."

"But until you the people of the Third District stand up and let the Government know that we have a vested interest in bringing commerce to this area it's not going to come," stressed Hon. Fraser as he addressed a large crowd that had gathered at Ellis Thomas Downs last night, January 19, 2013 for his annual party, which was designed to say "thanks" to his supporters and encourage others of the Third District.

The venue was used against alleged efforts by the ruling party to subject Hon. Fraser as it relates to the usage of the facility, reportedly saying that he needed their permission to use the facility for his function last night.

Hon. Fraser also lambasted the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government for "things being at a standstill", starting over a year ago since they took control of the majority seats. "You look at your neighbor and ask him if he is satisfied with what's going on right now?" He expressed utter disdain about the unhealthy dumping of sewerage into the ocean at Slaney, the poor upkeep and maintenance of roads and other public facilities. "What are we doing about it? It is the Government’s responsibility to fix it he said.

The Third District Representative and Opposition Member told persons at his annual party that the state of affairs as it relates to governance of the Virgin Islands, "has been a total menace, you have not seen anything like this in your lifetime the way the economy is going in this territory," adding that he is disappointed in the performance of his colleagues that are in Government.

In his expressed view, too many persons in the Territory are unemployed and being made to suffer but assured that the best is yet to come. "Some day not too long from now things will change."

On plans for the four years of this term, he told attendees that he had taken the decision to focus on the building of human capacity, with special attention on the youth of society. "And as you can see from what I have done here tonight that I am serious about the youths of our community. I wanted to give them an opportunity to see what building a country is all about... I don't want them to come here tonight just to have fun but to see that there is somebody out there that has an interest in them." According to Mr. Fraser, the youth have been loud in their complaints, “That they have not been catered for”.

He complimented the most recent development at Duff's Bottom, the establishment of the Save the Seed Energy Center.

Hon. Fraser also cried shame on Government's attempts to hush things while in parliament by attempting to limit Members of Parliament with the amount of questions they are allowed to ask and for how long they are allowed to speak. "But they can't stop we, we got a plan," he said. He described the silence of two Ministers of Government, who had nothing to say during one of the most important Sittings of the House of Assembly, as "very surprising".

Further shameful, he said, is that the House of Assembly has not sat yet for the year to discuss matters of importance to the development of the Territory. Reference was also made about the breaches in the recently signed Protocol for Effective Financial Management with the United Kingdom. "This government has to wake up and act right and if they don't shape up you have the right to ship them out.

He promised residents that quitting is no where on his agenda and vowed to continue to be in communication with them for as long as it takes, "No matter what they try to do, as long as it is not just, as long as its not right, you are going to be hearing from me because I am going to be here back, and back again."

There was no doubt that the event was a much anticipated one as persons were all enthused, dressed in their 'fancy dandies' and didn't let a second of the live band performances of Caribbean Ecstasy, Razor Blades, Jammerz, food and drinks of well stocked bars, go to waste.

Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser RA, during his address to residents and supporters at his annual party at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay on January 19, 2013.

Hon. Julian Fraser (centre) shares a moment with his supporters.

Some chose to sit in eager anticipation of Hon. Julian Fraser's message to them.

Pretty ladies all in a row at the party in Sea Cows Bay last night, January 19, 2013.