Elections 2023
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.
Elections 2023
Virgin Islands Releases 2024 Preliminary Voters List for Public Review
The 2024 Preliminary Voters List for the Virgin Islands has been released for public review, as mandated by Section 18 (6) of the Elections Act 1994 and its amendments. The list includes a total of 16,106 registered voters across the Territory’s nine electoral districts.
Supervisor of Elections, Scherrie Griffin, emphasised the importance of this review process, urging the public to ensure their information is accurate. “The publication of the Preliminary Voters List plays a crucial role in keeping the Territory’s Voters List up-to-date throughout the year. It is essential that individuals check their registration details for their respective districts,” Griffin stated.
The list is available for inspection at 48 locations throughout the Virgin Islands, including supermarkets, clinics, bars, restaurants, stores, government buildings, and the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. Additionally, the list can be accessed online at bvi.gov.vg/elections.
Those with objections or claims regarding the list must submit them between September 6 and 19 at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, located in the Creque Building on Main Street, Tortola.
Elections 2023
Voter Registration Now Open: Residents Urged to Register and Update Information
The Office of the Supervisor of Elections is reminding the public that voter registration is currently open. Eligible individuals are encouraged to register.
According to Section (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, eligibility to vote requires being a Belonger aged 18 or older and domiciled in the Virgin Islands.
To register, individuals must present a Virgin Islands Passport with an embossed seal, a Belonger’s Card, or a Belonger’s Certificate. A Naturalisation Certificate dated before June 15, 2007, is also acceptable.
Furthermore, Section 17(1) of the Elections (Amendment) Act No. 14 of 2011 states:
“A registered voter who is ordinarily resident in the Territory and who moves his place of residence from within one local electoral district or polling division to another, may have his name transferred to the list of voters for the local electoral district or polling division to which he has moved if he applies on Form No. 9 and establishes, to the satisfaction of the Supervisor of Elections, proof of residence within the local electoral district or polling division to which he/she has moved.”
Individuals who have changed their residence and wish to transfer their registration are encouraged to apply. Supporting documents for a transfer can include cable, water, electricity, or telephone bills, a rent receipt, lease agreement, or a notarized document stating the new address.
Registration and Transfer forms are available at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, Road Town Post Office, the District Offices on Anegada and Virgin Gorda, and the Government Office on Jost Van Dyke. These forms can also be accessed online at BVI Government’s website under the services tab.
For further information, please contact the Office of the Supervisor of Elections at 284-468-4380 or 284-468-3701 Ext. 4380 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The office is located at Creque’s Building, #216 Upper Main Street, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Elections 2023
Voter ID Card Issuance Resumes in the British Virgin Islands
The Office of the Supervisor of Elections in the British Virgin Islands has announced the resumption of Voter Identification Card issuance.
To obtain the card, individuals must provide proof of identity along with updated registration information.
Accepted documents for proof of identity include a BVI Passport with an embossed seal, a Belonger Card, a Belonger Certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization (issued before June 15, 2007), or a previous Voter Identification Card if applicable.
Applicants seeking to change their name on the card or transfer their registration must submit specific documents. For a change of name, individuals must complete Form No.3 [Claim Form] in person at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, accompanied by documents such as a Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, or Deed Poll. For transferring registration, Form No. 9 [Transfer of Registration] must be filled out in person at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, along with additional proof of identity.
Additionally, applicants must provide proof of residence, which can include utility bills (Cable, Water, Electricity, or Telephone), rental receipts with the new address, or a notarized document from the head of household/lessee confirming residency.
It’s essential to note that utility bills or receipts must be dated within two months prior to the application date for a Voter Identification Card.
For further inquiries and information, individuals are encouraged to contact the Office of the Supervisor of Elections at 284-468-4380 or via email at electionsoffice@gov.vg.
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