Fraser slammed for opposing Parson’s ‘land seizure’ pitch
Opposition Leader Julian Fraser has been lambasted for opposing a plan by former legislator Eileene Parsons for the government to forcibly seize land owned by persons at the Ellis Thomas Downs racetrack in Sea Cows Bay.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced months ago that the government was refused access to the Ellis Thomas racetrack after it arrived at an impasse with one of the families which own the property.
But Parsons, who has remained adamant that government should seize the land by ‘eminent domain’ so the government can carry on traditional Boxing Day horse races at the track, alleged that the government is being held hostage by one member of a family involved in the impasse.
What about district funding?
The former legislator alleged that even the statue of Ellis Thomas which fell after the 2017 hurricanes has not been set upright nearly six years later.
“What surprised me is to hear a member of Council (the House of Assembly), in whose district the track is … they wouldn’t even put back up Mr Ellis’ statue.”
She argued that legislators are allocated $300,000 to execute works in their district and questioned why the statue couldn’t have been fixed from these funds.
“The roof of the grandstands, why hasn’t that [been] fixed? It is in his area and [he is] talking that he is not going to go along with taking peoples’ land. You should be the one talking to that family and showing them the error of their ways and you should be backing the people of the territory who want to run the races down there,” Parsons said.
In the meantime, Parsons argued that even with income as well as prize money earned on race days, the amount of rental fees currently being requested by one of the families cannot be covered.
“The kind of money that young lady is asking for, it doesn’t come in on a race day. When you’re going to ask for hundreds of thousands a year, what are you telling the land of your birth? It’s us you are milking’,” Parsons stated.
Gov’t lacks strength of purpose
Parsons, who called the situation, a blight on the territory, accused the government of not having the strength of purpose to remedy the situation which she said is affecting residents as well as the neighbouring US Virgin Islands (USVI).
She also argued that the Ellis Thomas Downs track is the only working track in the greater Virgin Islands, and saw both the USVI Governor and Deputy Governor in attendance during the last race day held at the track.
“We have already invested hundreds of thousands of dollars down there and we should not be held hostage,” Parsons protested. “It is being sad that this family was paid down to February next year, then why in the name of Jehoshaphat we can’t be using the track if it was paid for down to that time, and when that time comes you negotiate what is to go on?“
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I 100% agree with Ms. Parsons. Like her or not…she is talking sense. This country has gotten away with too much nepotism and cronyism for years. People just too selfish only thinking about themselves and not thinking about the greater good. If you’re going to be greedy and stalling the process…eminent domain is the answer. People tend to forget to easily. Remember what happened to the last greedy man from Tortola? Just ask the folks at the Miami Herald.
That woman is so entitled!
She would like somebody to take her land?
Why didn’t she acquire the land when she was in power? She wanted to be reelected so she chose not to do it because it would’ve made her unpopular at the time. THINK SHE SMART
She probably had in one or two
I agree with Parsons she is so right, the government invested to much money. to be put to shame with such nonsense. it shows that we have no leader.he is not leading at all. put your foot down.
Ms. P you either fell asleep or Johnny Walking a little too fast. These cowardice, yellow belly fools we elected already gave up their $300K in a rush just to appease the UK so now they cannot help the very people that they are now begging for votes. They give the impression that it was given up as a part of accountability but it’s all sheer laziness and them not wanting to have to deal with the people.
Brer rabbit, only yapping on what he feels like and when he feels like / which is just to stir up ( old talk ) what has he ever done that doesn’t have some sort of controversy attached to it ??•¿•
I did not see any lambasting of Fraser, and he makes valid points.
It would be a significant step for the Govt to exercise its powers to forcibly acquire the freehold. There is no real public need for a racetrack.
It was a very stupid decision to spend all the money on a horse track in any event, but to spend it when the Govt only had a short lease was extraordinarily stupid. Who allowed that to happen?
So eyelean wanna tek deh people land so she could have fun/rum and her cousin lessmo to mek money?
Ting te talk ar wander who da whte jeep wa de red licence plate for she drivin around in wit da boy from up de gut who de owner eh?
The two of these big**s deserve each other. Let them fight. I have never seen two who despise people from the other Caribbean islands like them…
That was my thoughts too. If they are paid until Feb 2023. Then they should be able to use the land until the contract expires. I hope they are asking for a pro-rated refund since the owner deprived them of the use of the land.
Fraser mehson dont mid dah black label bubbler. You continue to represent your people and the public purse.
…to see why slavery lasted so long when you observe how stupid people can really be. Taking a family’s private land? For horse track/racing purposes? If I was that family, I would quicker build a sea cows bay private high school on the land to make sure education remains number one and not rum and gambling, which seem to be releasing all sort of other demons.
Ms. Parsons is talking sense like her not. Once people here in Tortola is doing business with government the price is 1000% over the value. That is called stupidity and greed. Those who thinks that bleedibg the government is too dumb to know that they are bleeding themselves. I hope whoever the hell they are who have crippled this world wide sport in our territory is proud of themselves. And by the way, why people get so personal when some one voice their opinion? Why knock Ms. P for her choice of drink? Those critics probably do worse than drinking JWB. I am embarrassed to be a Tolian.
Maybe same persons who start an airline that doesn’t exist, a new airport for planes that can’t use it, 11 years for incinerator that doesn’t work, giving away the seabed, closing locals access to VI beaches, NHI giveaway to Medical Companies, VI crypto currency failure, bus stops with no buses. Completed hospital in VG that isn’t completed. Maybe not the same people, but definitely the same problem!
I am inclined to believe that this very noteworthy lady,is one of the few BVIslanders that was not fortunate, to be blessed with generational wealth in the form of land ownership. Her largesse could be attributed to the generosity of the VI Governnent and its treasury. How else can one account for her flippant attitude towards the wish that the land be seized and used for gambling sport. I detect a tinge of bitterness and envy . Could be a reason too for her relationship with the bottled gold spirit. There is a sector of this animosity of BVIslanders,least talked about but they are likened to being scorned and it runs deep in their soul.
She bawn here but never had land so she bitter.. Delve into her history if you could find it. Parson is not her family name. She had Marry a Par son for a lil while I understand. Who she fa? Her genealogy as long as she been around is shrouded in secrecy or mystery,whatever but I don’t think she is a real bigup somebody. I never hear or see family She is who she is with hard work and friendly elected members
It would be unpopular but given the minimal horse racing in the territory could we not use the government portion for a playing field, a large flat space would accomodate a wide range of youth sports and recreational activities year round
She only trying to turn the people against fraser because election coming up soon…She need to put heat under the Premier, Minister for Sports and Minister of Natural Resources because they are the ones in Government who are doing the negotiations, NOT FRASER! Better yet, go to the Governor because he is in full control.
Property should only be acquired forcibly for the greater good of the Virgin Islands.Essential projects directly linked to the development of the islands or public health or safety.Don’t think a racetrack meets this high standard
horses seems like an odd sport for a bunch of little islands in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Not much horse racing in Bequia in the Grenadines but lots of boat racing.
That is what she did to the land owners around her wicked old Woman …
What is wrong forlocals to say me born here? Other caribbeañ persons often say “Is a Vincy me be” “Jamaica me come from” ” Triny to the bones” etc
Maybe such terms are used due to frustration over a matter.Pls have respect for each other ..then perhaps these term may not be used as frequent.
I totally agree with her!
Love her or hate her, that is not what you should b focusing on.The Government is trying to work with the family and now at a standstill not moving forward anything soon.
We should agree that Horse racing was something a lot of people looked forward 2 and it was going well. I don’t see why we can’t make every effort to bring it back better than before. Stop being a kill joy. We had neighbors coming over just 4 this as well. Also, sometimes that is the only time people came out to socialize with others.
At this point I hope that the family would reconsider and not think that everything should be about money.
She think it right theifing someone property?
The woman can ask what rent she want. Government
choose pay not pay. No problem.
Just a bunch a nazi taking ppl land like they
better than we.