PVIM’s Paul “On The Ball” Hewlett says he is a “team player first”

(JTV News) — Paul “On The Ball” Hewlett, the confirmed Fourth District candidate for the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) in the upcoming General Elections, is well-known as a sports journalist, former athlete, and longtime resident of the district he plans to represent.

But after a brief one-on-one interview with Hewlett by JTV’s Merrick Andrews recently, there is so much more to Hewlett than meets the eye.

In the interview, he disclosed what makes him qualified for the job, his upbringing in the Fourth, his education at home and abroad, why he chose the PVIM over other politic parties, his sojourn in politics in another Caribbean country, and most importantly, what plans he and his party have to improve the Fourth District. He outlined plans for sports, education, and cultural development.

However, before laying down those plans in the interview, Hewlett was quick to point out that the challenge with politicians “is that they promise too much in their first term and end up delivering very little”.

And while his background is in sports and education, Hewlett also noted in the interview that he is a “team player first”.

Merrick Andrews: Tell us why you decided to enter the political arena in the BVI at this time.
Paul Hewlett: Merrick, my decision was very simple: it came out of the extra time I had to think about our lives as a people during the pandemic, and with so much time to think, it finally dawned on me I was not answering my calling. The BVI needed new faces in the arena who were passionate and could make a difference in our now-failing economy!!

MA: What do you believe makes you qualified for the Fourth District job and to serve the people of the territory?
PH: The Fourth District is where I grew up, my sister was born there and all my early school friends came from the 4th, as I attended both the BVI primary and BVI High School [renamed Elmore Stoutt High School] in the 4th District. As a mature teenager, I was very involved in sports and at 18 went to the UK to study law. Unfortunately, for me, I did not enjoy law but instead got ‘A’ Levels in Sociology, English Language, and History. I was a great follower of Karl Marx as a youngster but as I grew up, realized that capitalism was the best structure for freedom of speech. So in the 4th [District] there are multiple sporting venues where I already spend much of my time now and I am passionate about the development of education on our shores.

MA: When elected, what issues in the district do you intend to tackle?
PH: There are many issues that need to be tackled, Merrick. The challenge I find with politicians is that they promise too much in their first term and end up delivering very little. Beatification of Road Town is vital for our tourism industry. The development of bike lanes also is needed. I am also concerned about the direction the vehicles now drive through town and am not sure our government got that right. Initially, though I would tackle our educational curriculum which honestly needs an overhaul and the redevelopment of the sports complex. A more long-term vision I have is a cultural village that will benefit our young people in particular along with our tourism development. Another long-term goal would be the development of another track facility at Paraquita Bay but this can only be done after the A. O Shirley is first developed properly with seating and other needed facilities.

MA: What infrastructural developments are required in the Fourth?
PW: I think I have already touched on this above Merrick with the redevelopment of the A.O. Shirley Grounds and the Walwyn Brewley Grounds. I also intend to change the lighting power to solar, saving the government millions of dollars on lighting these and other sporting facilities around the district and the territory.
MA: Mark Vanterpool has been in that seat for many years [and does not plan to contest the 2023 polls], do you believe you can fill his shoes?
PW: That’s a no-brainer, Merrick. As you can see from my focus above there are many aspects of the district which Mark never touched. I would never say Mark was never passionate about the 4th but my very existence and everything I do is affected by the 4th District. For example, I coach three athletes who are going to the Carifta Games. I run a business in the 4th District and own property in the 4th. This has enabled me to understand fully the experience of the small businessman and appreciates the importance of keeping such individuals successful as this has a trickle effect on everyone.

MA: Why the PVIM and not the other parties?
PW: The PVIM has 6 Pillars that attracted me immediately: integrity, transparency, empowerment, hope, inspiration, and accountability. Very impressive indeed, that along with our slogan, ‘Integrity Matters’, sold me. Outside of that, I found that my mindset was along these lines as Ronnie Skelton, our leader, and the rest of the team. I didn’t have to change who I was or my philosophy of life to fit in with the team, it happened automatically!!

MA: If you were to be elected, what ministry would you prefer to manage?
PH: Honestly, any ministry Ronnie wants me in is fine with me. My background is in education and sports so that would be great TO BE THERE BUT I AM A TEAM PLAYER FIRST!!

MA: Why do you believe these elections are so crucial this time around?
PW: In the last few years, so much has happened with a category 5 hurricane followed by the pandemic, then our premier being arrested. I feel it is paramount that whoever stands to represent this country must do so for the love of the country and not the love of self and family. We are in very crucial times, which if not dealt with correctly, could end us up in a similar boat, Jamaica or Guyana found themselves in financially. The difference is, our tourism industry cannot save us due to the size of our territory, therefore we must think of sports tourism on a larger scale and develop areas of revenue that will build our community.

MA: Tell your voters five character traits that make you qualified for this job.
PW: Well, the first would be my years of hands-on experience in sports and in education. Secondly my ability to be hands-on with many young ones as I live a stone’s throw away. Thirdly, my passion for sports in the territory at large and also my passion for education. Fourthly, I am easily approachable by all. Last but not least, I own offices in the 4th District and intend to use my office as my headquarters where people can come on a regular basis to ask questions, get forms filled out, apply for benefits or anything else that is required.

MA: Are you new to politics in general?
PW: On the contrary, what I have not shared with anyone is that I was actually the favorite to win a seat in a previous election but due to death threats and other unacceptable behavior I opted to stand down. It was my wife in particular who insisted that I never get involved in politics again but it is very hard to sit back and watch your country digging into a deep hole, knowing that you have a solution and not offer to help to fix it. So I raised my hand and decided I would return to politics with the PVIM and bring the BVI back to its glory days and beyond.