Decoloninization
Julian Fraser, RA Making Contribution At UN Sponsored Conference On Decolonialism In St. Vincent 2011
Get To Know Julian Fraser, RA
Julian is the son of Frances and Canute Fraser of Sea Cows Bay. He was born on the island of Tortola; the last of Frances’s five children and of Canute’s thirteen. He was christened a Methodist where he maintained his allegiance until fulfilling his mother’s most fervent desire by becoming a full member of the Church in 1994, and still is.
He is a product of the British Virgin Islands education system, as he attended the Sea Cows Bay and Road Town primary schools, and later, the Virgin Islands Secondary / BVI High School until 1969. Upon completing School, he gained employment with a local bank for a brief period of one year, before emigrating for The United States in pursuit of higher education.
Julian is married to a school mate he met while in Secondary school: the former Kharid Turnbull, his wife of thirty two years, with whom he has a son: Jamil.
While in the United States, he decided upon a career In Architecture. Academically: he holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture Degree magna cum laude, and a Five Year Professional Bachelor of Architecture Degree cum laude from the New York Institute of Technology, New York; together with an Associate Degree, and a Five Year Certificate in Architecture from the Institute of Design and Construction, New York.
Professionally; Julian is a Registered Architect in the State of New York; and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He holds memberships in the American Institute of Architects; and The Academy of Architecture for Health; and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board.
During his time in New York, he worked for several firms on many projects, most notably was while at the firm, Haines Lundberg Whaler, as Project Architect on the world famous 2.2 billion dollars World Financial Center,at New York City’s Battery Park.
In April 1992 Julian made the decision to leave his adopted home of twenty-two years and return to the B V I, where he continued to practice architecture. In his pursuit to be of service to his community, he pursued goals such as joining the Rotary Club of Tortola, and becoming involved in various community activities. He served as a member of the National Parks Trust; a member of the Nibbs Estate Committee; and was an active officer of the B V I High School parent teachers association.
In 1999 he raised the bar on his level of service to his people a notch, and decided to run for public office. He was nominated by the Virgin Islands Party as their candidate for The Third Electoral District, which he contested, and was successful.
The Virgin Islands Party being the party with a majority of seven after the elections; was constitutionally mandated to form the government. Julian was selected one of three persons to be Ministers by the Chief Minister, and subsequently appointed by the Governor as Minister for Natural Resources and Labor.
As Minister for Natural Resources and Labor among other things:
In May 2002 as a result of a cabinet shake-up, he moved to the post of Minister for Communications and Works, while assuming the title of Deputy Chief Minister.
While there:
As Representative for The Third District, among other things:
Colon Hill residences
Albion Hill residences
Coxheath residences
Julian runs a weekly meals program for the elderly, in addition to providing a transport service. He is always accessible, and always makes it a point to respond to his constituents every call.
Julian always remembers his days as a member of the Opposition where he served as a member of the often dreaded Public Accounts Committee, and regards it as one of his better lessons in humility.
In 2005 he was appointed by the Chief Minister on the recommendation of The Leader of The Opposition, and served as a member of the Virgin Islands Constitution Negotiating Team.
After three rounds of talks with the UK’s Negotiating Team in the BVI, in February / March the Team met in the UK and concluded the fourth and final round which culminated with a meeting with the Minister responsible for The Overseas Territories.
Thanks to those efforts the BVI has had a new Constitution since July 10th 2007.
As he contested his seat for reelection in 2007, he was successful, defeating his opponent comfortably by a 590 to 245 victory.
His party won a majority of the Seats in the newly formed House of Assembly by a margin of eleven to two, and thus, the mandate to form the government. Julian was appointed by the Governor a Minister, and given the Portfolio of Minister for Communications and Works, which commanded the Subjects of:
Public Works
Water and Sewage
Fire and Rescue Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Civil Aviation
Electrical Inspections
Facilities Management
And Statutory Bodies:
BVI Electricity Corporation
BVI Airports Authority
BVI Ports Authority
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
Building Authority
Taxi and Livery Commission
The Portfolio held by Julian is broad and inclusive, and as you can see it touches the lives of each and everyone daily. How he does it, is a secret only he knows.
Frequently Julian is called upon to serve on the behalf of the Premier overseas, the first of which was in November 2007 in Brussels at the annual Forum of the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories Association, known as OCTA. Essentially, taking up from where he left off five years earlier in Bonaire where he was a signatory to the formation of OCTA, on behalf of the Chief Minister.
And in March of 2011 he has again gone to New Caledonia to sign the Joint Position Paper; and a Political Resolution. Both documents were signed on the behalf of the Hon. Premier.
In 2008 Julian traveled to Washington DC on behalf of the Premier to attend an Expo hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Association and attended by The Caribbean Community –CARRICOM- Heads of Governments, who were briefed on the developments in the industry and the impacts it was having on the Region.
Julian has also as recently as June 2011 traveled to St. Vincent to attend a UN Special Committee on the Eradication of Colonialism Caribbean Regional Seminar on behalf of the Hon. Premier.
In 2008 almost immediately after taking office, the Premier tapped into Julian’s assets and had him accompany him to London to have discussions at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with Meg Munn Under Secretary and Minister responsible for Overseas Territories.
Julian again accompanied the Premier in 2010 to London for another round of discussions at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with the Under Secretary and Minister responsible for Overseas Territories, this time being Henry Billingham, MP who was also representing a different Administration, which is the Coalition Government of Prime Minister David Cameron.
Regionally, Julian has accompanied the Premier at the OECS Heads Meeting here in the BVI in 2009 as a Member of his Delegation. He accompanied him in July 2011 to the Pre Consultative Meetings of Heads of Governments for the Overseas Territories.
Of note in his many adventures, is last overseas trip with the Premier in March of 2011 to Barbados to attend a Tripartite Symposium hosted by The Caribbean Development Bank –CDB-; The International Labor Organization –ILO-; and Civil Society to review how the Region was coping with the world Economic Crisis, and to encourage Governments to infuse capital into the Economy to stimulate growth, while at the same time keeping people at work at all cost.
And while on this same trip with the Premier, and probably most importantly, they met with the President of The Caribbean Development Bank seek funding for the Rehabilitation of Damaged Infrastructure during the 2010 Disasters of July, August, September and October. Those meetings turned out to be hugely successful, as the Bank approved the loan for $15.7 million US.
Julian has served his third four year term in the Legislature, for which he thank his constituents immensely, and solicits their support for re-election to the next Legislature which is due at the end of 2011.
He is a product of the British Virgin Islands education system, as he attended the Sea Cows Bay and Road Town primary schools, and later, the Virgin Islands Secondary / BVI High School until 1969. Upon completing School, he gained employment with a local bank for a brief period of one year, before emigrating for The United States in pursuit of higher education.
Julian is married to a school mate he met while in Secondary school: the former Kharid Turnbull, his wife of thirty two years, with whom he has a son: Jamil.
While in the United States, he decided upon a career In Architecture. Academically: he holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture Degree magna cum laude, and a Five Year Professional Bachelor of Architecture Degree cum laude from the New York Institute of Technology, New York; together with an Associate Degree, and a Five Year Certificate in Architecture from the Institute of Design and Construction, New York.
Professionally; Julian is a Registered Architect in the State of New York; and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He holds memberships in the American Institute of Architects; and The Academy of Architecture for Health; and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board.
During his time in New York, he worked for several firms on many projects, most notably was while at the firm, Haines Lundberg Whaler, as Project Architect on the world famous 2.2 billion dollars World Financial Center,at New York City’s Battery Park.
In April 1992 Julian made the decision to leave his adopted home of twenty-two years and return to the B V I, where he continued to practice architecture. In his pursuit to be of service to his community, he pursued goals such as joining the Rotary Club of Tortola, and becoming involved in various community activities. He served as a member of the National Parks Trust; a member of the Nibbs Estate Committee; and was an active officer of the B V I High School parent teachers association.
In 1999 he raised the bar on his level of service to his people a notch, and decided to run for public office. He was nominated by the Virgin Islands Party as their candidate for The Third Electoral District, which he contested, and was successful.
The Virgin Islands Party being the party with a majority of seven after the elections; was constitutionally mandated to form the government. Julian was selected one of three persons to be Ministers by the Chief Minister, and subsequently appointed by the Governor as Minister for Natural Resources and Labor.
As Minister for Natural Resources and Labor among other things:
- In 2000 he went to Nova Scotia to meet with the Minister for Agriculture and negotiated the terms of reference for a memorandum of understanding on trade and fisheries development. And in January of 2002 he witnessed its signing here in the BVI.
- In November 2001 he attended a conference in Murcia, Spain to witness the BVI join the ranks of most of the coastal countries in the developed world in becoming a contracting party to The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT). This meant that Pelagic Fish Species caught in the Waters of the BVI could now be exported to countries like the UK, U.S.A and Canada.
- In April 2002, he led a team to Washington DC for meetings with Dr J. B. Penn: Under Secretary of Agriculture with the United States Department of Agriculture, to discuss the mechanisms needed to facilitate the trade in live animals and meat products from the BVI to the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
- He was not afraid of controversy either, for despite numerous protests from animal welfare organizations in their attempt to stop a proposed captive dolphin swim program, in 2001 he traveling to Cancun, Mexico and visited establishments on the islands of Cozumel, and Isla Mujeres, and in Puerto Aventuras; followed by a visit to the Bahamas in order to make an informed decision. Today the BVI Dolphin program is very much alive.
In May 2002 as a result of a cabinet shake-up, he moved to the post of Minister for Communications and Works, while assuming the title of Deputy Chief Minister.
While there:
- He authorized work on the territory’s first Traffic lights System, and on November 4th, 2002 at a commissioning ceremony he inaugurated the System.
- He also presided over the dedication of the naming of the Dual Carriageway to James Walter Francis Drive; and also the opening of the New Queen Elizabeth Bridge.
- In 2009 Julian did it again, when he brought more Traffic Lights to the Territory and on August 20th he held an inauguration ceremony.
As Representative for The Third District, among other things:
- he ensured the completion of the Nibbs Estate Sub-Division, and saw to the distribution of 83 House Lots to individuals and families
- Currently, Julian is working on opening up the remainder of the Nibbs Estate lands formerly designated as Agricultural Lands, to prospective home owners.
- he saw the erection of a 3000 seat grandstand at the Little A Race Track
- he ensured a home for the Byrds Soft Ball teams and others, by finding a replacement Ball Field on the Nibbs Estate
- he established the road link from Drake’s Highway through Jabbott Hill to Colon Hill, and
- he authored the Sea Cows Bay Harbor Development Scheme which was approved by the Executive Council
- The Construction Documents for the Sea Cows Bay Harbor Development Scheme are now completed, and contracts have been issued for the works to be carried out for the Bulk-heading.
- he installed sidewalks from Albion to Palestina; and is responsible for the fencing at the Ebenezer Thomas School which has become the model for all schools
- By the end of August 2011 works are to be completed on a very ambitious exercise to complete a missing portion of Sidewalk from Nanny Cay entrance to the Guard House linking Sea Cows Bay and Hannah Bay.
- In October 2009 works to replace the Albion Bridge were completed. Those works included the construction of a By-pass road with bridge; the demolition of the existing bridge, and the construction of the new bridge with sidewalks, road bed and drainage swails.
- capitalizing on his success with the commissioning of the Sea Cows Bay Water Plant in 2003, he has succeeded in bettering the living conditions of more people in his district by extending the supply of Potable Water to the following communities:
Colon Hill residences
Albion Hill residences
Coxheath residences
Julian runs a weekly meals program for the elderly, in addition to providing a transport service. He is always accessible, and always makes it a point to respond to his constituents every call.
Julian always remembers his days as a member of the Opposition where he served as a member of the often dreaded Public Accounts Committee, and regards it as one of his better lessons in humility.
In 2005 he was appointed by the Chief Minister on the recommendation of The Leader of The Opposition, and served as a member of the Virgin Islands Constitution Negotiating Team.
After three rounds of talks with the UK’s Negotiating Team in the BVI, in February / March the Team met in the UK and concluded the fourth and final round which culminated with a meeting with the Minister responsible for The Overseas Territories.
Thanks to those efforts the BVI has had a new Constitution since July 10th 2007.
As he contested his seat for reelection in 2007, he was successful, defeating his opponent comfortably by a 590 to 245 victory.
His party won a majority of the Seats in the newly formed House of Assembly by a margin of eleven to two, and thus, the mandate to form the government. Julian was appointed by the Governor a Minister, and given the Portfolio of Minister for Communications and Works, which commanded the Subjects of:
Public Works
Water and Sewage
Fire and Rescue Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Civil Aviation
Electrical Inspections
Facilities Management
And Statutory Bodies:
BVI Electricity Corporation
BVI Airports Authority
BVI Ports Authority
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
Building Authority
Taxi and Livery Commission
The Portfolio held by Julian is broad and inclusive, and as you can see it touches the lives of each and everyone daily. How he does it, is a secret only he knows.
Frequently Julian is called upon to serve on the behalf of the Premier overseas, the first of which was in November 2007 in Brussels at the annual Forum of the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories Association, known as OCTA. Essentially, taking up from where he left off five years earlier in Bonaire where he was a signatory to the formation of OCTA, on behalf of the Chief Minister.
And in March of 2011 he has again gone to New Caledonia to sign the Joint Position Paper; and a Political Resolution. Both documents were signed on the behalf of the Hon. Premier.
In 2008 Julian traveled to Washington DC on behalf of the Premier to attend an Expo hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Association and attended by The Caribbean Community –CARRICOM- Heads of Governments, who were briefed on the developments in the industry and the impacts it was having on the Region.
Julian has also as recently as June 2011 traveled to St. Vincent to attend a UN Special Committee on the Eradication of Colonialism Caribbean Regional Seminar on behalf of the Hon. Premier.
In 2008 almost immediately after taking office, the Premier tapped into Julian’s assets and had him accompany him to London to have discussions at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with Meg Munn Under Secretary and Minister responsible for Overseas Territories.
Julian again accompanied the Premier in 2010 to London for another round of discussions at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with the Under Secretary and Minister responsible for Overseas Territories, this time being Henry Billingham, MP who was also representing a different Administration, which is the Coalition Government of Prime Minister David Cameron.
Regionally, Julian has accompanied the Premier at the OECS Heads Meeting here in the BVI in 2009 as a Member of his Delegation. He accompanied him in July 2011 to the Pre Consultative Meetings of Heads of Governments for the Overseas Territories.
Of note in his many adventures, is last overseas trip with the Premier in March of 2011 to Barbados to attend a Tripartite Symposium hosted by The Caribbean Development Bank –CDB-; The International Labor Organization –ILO-; and Civil Society to review how the Region was coping with the world Economic Crisis, and to encourage Governments to infuse capital into the Economy to stimulate growth, while at the same time keeping people at work at all cost.
And while on this same trip with the Premier, and probably most importantly, they met with the President of The Caribbean Development Bank seek funding for the Rehabilitation of Damaged Infrastructure during the 2010 Disasters of July, August, September and October. Those meetings turned out to be hugely successful, as the Bank approved the loan for $15.7 million US.
Julian has served his third four year term in the Legislature, for which he thank his constituents immensely, and solicits their support for re-election to the next Legislature which is due at the end of 2011.
The 2011 General Elections were held and Julian was again victorious for a 4th consecutive time. Unfortunately his Party did not win a majority of the seats, and he ended up in the Opposition. He was appointed to serve on various Committees of the House, including the famous Public Accounts Committee.
During the term of the 2nd House of Assembly 2011-2015, Julian was elected Chairman of his Party -Virgin Islands Party-, which he then led into the 2015 General Elections, but did not win a majprity of the seats and ended up in the Opposition once again. He became Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. he also served on many Committees.
During the time of the 3rd House of Assembly, disagreements within the Virgin Islands Party saw Julian becoming leader of the charge in forming a new Political Group -"Progressives United"- where he became the Chairman and served out the rest of the Term.
In the 2019 Elections Julian was again successful and remained in the Opposition, serving on every committee in the House of Assembly. During the term he again assumed the title of Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee to the conclusion of the term in April of 2023.
In April 2023 General Elections were had for a Fifth House of Assembly, and Julian again led Progressives United into the elections and he won his seat for a 7th consecutive Term. He now serves in the Opposition of the 5th House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands.
During the term of the 2nd House of Assembly 2011-2015, Julian was elected Chairman of his Party -Virgin Islands Party-, which he then led into the 2015 General Elections, but did not win a majprity of the seats and ended up in the Opposition once again. He became Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. he also served on many Committees.
During the time of the 3rd House of Assembly, disagreements within the Virgin Islands Party saw Julian becoming leader of the charge in forming a new Political Group -"Progressives United"- where he became the Chairman and served out the rest of the Term.
In the 2019 Elections Julian was again successful and remained in the Opposition, serving on every committee in the House of Assembly. During the term he again assumed the title of Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee to the conclusion of the term in April of 2023.
In April 2023 General Elections were had for a Fifth House of Assembly, and Julian again led Progressives United into the elections and he won his seat for a 7th consecutive Term. He now serves in the Opposition of the 5th House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands.
Fraser The States Man
Fraser in Nomea New Caledonia at the annual Forum of the
European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories Association
in March of 2011 signing the Joint Position Paper; and a Political
Resolution.
Both documents were signed on the behalf of the Hon. Premier.
European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories Association
in March of 2011 signing the Joint Position Paper; and a Political
Resolution.
Both documents were signed on the behalf of the Hon. Premier.
Fraser Promotes Youth Development in His District
The Championships of the BD Basketball League went to the
Third District Teams at both the Primary School Level, and the
District.
In June 2011, Fraser (R) third row, saw fit to honor the
Champions at a special ceremony
http://fraser.vg/under-10-august-basketball-league.html
Third District Teams at both the Primary School Level, and the
District.
In June 2011, Fraser (R) third row, saw fit to honor the
Champions at a special ceremony
http://fraser.vg/under-10-august-basketball-league.html
Fraser Get's His Reward
Fraser (L) Recieves Plaque from the BD Basketball Chief Promoter
Mr. Milton Mc Clean, for his continued support for the development
of youth in sports.
http://fraser.vg/district-softball-2013-league-opener.html
Julian Fraser's Save The Seeds Intermediate Basketball League
On Friday August 16th 2013 with the help of an able committee, I teamed up with Bishop John Cline of New Life Baptist Church to launch this League. Games are played in the newly dedicated Save The Seeds Energy Center at Duffs Bottom. http://fraser.vg/fraser--save-the-seed-basketball-league.html
Fraser (C) Posing with teams in the League
Fraser (C) Posing with teams in the League
First 3rd District Job and Career Fair Jan. 31st 2013
The issue of unemployment was a national problem that calls for the uniting of efforts to effectively address it.
That was a statement by Honorable Julian Fraser RA, Representative of the Third District, during his address at the commencement of a one-day job and career fair at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay on January 31, 2013.
Fraser (C) in the middle of things making sure all is well
http://fraser.vg/3rd-district-job--career-fair.html
That was a statement by Honorable Julian Fraser RA, Representative of the Third District, during his address at the commencement of a one-day job and career fair at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay on January 31, 2013.
Fraser (C) in the middle of things making sure all is well
http://fraser.vg/3rd-district-job--career-fair.html
Fraser in London With Premier O'Neal
Fraser (L) standing over United Kingdom's Secretary of State William Hague (C)
as he shares plesanteries with BVI Premier Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE at
Lancaster House in June 2010.
Fraser was accompaning the Premier to London for talks with the Minister Responsible
for Overseas Territory: Henry Bellingham MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Among the Matters Discussed were:
Relationship Between Britain and The Virgin Islands; and
A Revision to the 2005 Borrowing Guidelines
as he shares plesanteries with BVI Premier Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE at
Lancaster House in June 2010.
Fraser was accompaning the Premier to London for talks with the Minister Responsible
for Overseas Territory: Henry Bellingham MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Among the Matters Discussed were:
Relationship Between Britain and The Virgin Islands; and
A Revision to the 2005 Borrowing Guidelines
London Visit Continued
At the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Fraser (L);
Premier Ralph T. O'Neal (C); and Rt. Hon. Henry Billingham, MP
Minister for Overseas Territories sitting down for talks on relationship
between the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands
Premier Ralph T. O'Neal (C); and Rt. Hon. Henry Billingham, MP
Minister for Overseas Territories sitting down for talks on relationship
between the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands