In a recent Facebook post community organizer Kevon S Lettsome responded to recent public comments from local commentator Claude Skelton Cline stating, “This is not the time for kids in the House of Assembly.”
Lettsome penned, “Claude Skelton Cline raised a point, starting a conversation about our status as a younger generation of leaders in these Virgin Islands.
Some of our elders are willing mentors who create time in their schedule to develop and help navigate us through life. They advise how to structure our businesses, encourage us to manage our resources properly etc. however, there are a vocal few who continue to shut us out COMPLETELY unless we impress them personally.
Young Virgin Islanders, it is time we demand our contributions are no longer dismissed, minimized or ignored. In my humble opinion, it is time to create constitutional posts, whether advisory or diplomatic for those in our society who CRAVE power but have no connection to the people or their needs.
• Inflation is raging
• Natural resources (BVI) are limited if not sold
• Opportunities in short supply
• Start-Up Financing unavailable
The effort to deflect from the failures of the VIP administration by their paid political consultants is insulting to our intelligence. The attempts to take the focus off of the performance of the Deputy Premier, Hon. Natalio Wheatley as the District Seven representative is obvious. We know the proposal of a district council, library and soup kitchen at this stage is inadequate and difficult to defend but burying the youth is not way. Happy Friday All!”
“THE DEPUTY PREMIER’S FOCUS WAS NOT ON HIS PEOPLE AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES.”-LETTSOME
In an invited comment by our agency Lettsome further said, “The district needs hope and help. While there is a need for the pantry in the district because the need is great. A greater focus from the Deputy Premier on opportunities for the people of the district was required over his term. Persons have told me when they approached the representative for assistance in transitioning to farming they were told assistance is only available to person’s who have been farming for several years so there is a disconnect.
He further said, “It took leadership to realize the opportunity in the pandemic and the lockdowns and the Deputy Premier’s focus was not on his people and creating opportunities.”