Political Newcomers | John Samuel the man to unseat Maduro-Caines?
VIP candidate for the Sixth Electoral District, John Samuel.
By Esther Durand, BVI News Staff
With a quarter-century worth of experience in the public service, businessman and marine enthusiast John Samuel believes he has what it takes to unseat the National Democratic Party’s Alvera Maduro-Caines as the new representative for the Sixth Electoral District.
The 47-year-old was recently named among the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidates who will contest the next general election, which is constitutionally due in 2019.
He said the sixth district has been searching for an ‘alternative’ because they are not satisfied with Maduro-Caines.
“I’ve been approached many times by people asking me if I am running and I should run. The difference this year is we (the territory) have been so poorly represented and our resources have been so grossly mismanaged, it has gotten to the point where I can no longer shy away from what would be my social responsibility,” Samuel said.
Samuel said his ‘life experiences’ have suitably prepared and positioned him to represent the BVI locally and abroad.
“I am from the sixth district, grew up in the sixth district, and now offer my services to the sixth.”
Plans
Samuel said he is actively working on district plans which he will divulge in the ‘near future’.
He said he hopes to address some of the longtime issues plaguing residents in that area such as crime, water and sewerage, and road infrastructure.
Additionally, the businessman said he is hoping to open doors for the youth, who are constantly found on street corners, to channel their energies through sports and education.
Samuel believes sports tourism can be a key area to diversify the territory’s revenue streams and can create major opportunities for local sportsmen and women.
“I am working to develop a sixth district committee which, along with myself, will dedicate the time and energy to bring competent representation to the district, and to serve the country in a leadership capacity,” he said.
“I have a tremendous vision for this country. I know that many are discouraged and disheartened with the position that we find ourselves in, but with the right choice in leadership, a better and brighter day is coming to the British Virgin Islands,” he said.
Campaign financing
Samuel said he intends to finance his own campaign in the lead-up to the election.
The businessman said, if need be, he will extend help to his VIP running mates. He said the party will have an in-depth discussion on the matter. He, however, said VIP election campaigns are usually funded through donations and fundraisers.
Samuel: a father and businessman
Samuel grew up in Belle Vue where he still resides. The divorcee has three daughters and is the owner of The Auto Spot as well as Jocelyn Maritime Training & Consultants.
He is a former public servant who has held positions such as the Director of Shipping at the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR), and Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications & Works.
Samuel is a certified marine inspector and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nautical Sciences at the University College of Cape Breton in Canada.
In his spare time, Samuel can be found sailing around the territory’s islands and cays.
Editor’s Note:
‘Political Newcomers’ is a feature from BVI News that brings a closer look at the new faces contesting the upcoming general election.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
He got my vote
47 you say?
Ive never seen nor heard of him but this article gave me a clear outlook of who he is!
He Is READY and FIT for the Position. People of the 6th. MAKEE THE CHAAAANGE EH!
All this 6th district, 2nd district stuff is very uninspiring.
Couldn’t they have some nice local names ? ( and not after politicians please )
He who does hardly speak to people. I know it’s only two of you blogging. Well there are more for Maduro than against her. Let he come Baughers Bay. Where he was all the time when she was housing persons from the district when they had no place to live for years?Where was he when she was paying for classes and night school for youths even before she was elected? Where was he after the storms while she was out everyday feeding the working people in the district? Only now he realize he can give service to his district? She did here fair share of projects to enable persons to get to their homes etc. who fixed the gym in Belle Vue to what it was before the storm destroyed it? For you all to come on here and say this lady ain’t do nothing, all you really evil, bad minded and ungrateful. Maduro-Caines all the way for me and my family. 100 Strong
Listen…. Whatever Hon caines did was her JOB as representative of the 6th. Stop assuming and find out how active and verbal he is in the Community. Have you ever approached him or had a conversation with him? Yall just being salty or is it that yall scared. Get to know the candidate then pass judgement.
I assume you don’t now this guy Empress. He b————– people, Ask anyone who works nearby him. These people think the general public is stupid.
She did not build the gym.. what is a little repair. she still not doing anything for the district for 8 years… time for her to GO.. HIT THE ROAD
first of all @MYO, I Love Ms Alvera, along with majority of the 6th. but she too has fall under the Spell of the ‘No Direction Party’ and is becoming incompetent like her fellow members.
ITS TIME FOR THE CHANGE!!
Thanks MYO. In these hating, worthless people small minds if their pockets ain getting fat then Hon Maduro Caine’s is not doing her job. They greedy and selfish. And like I said also, it’s really only two people blogging with different names. Hon. Alvera Maduro-Caines don’t mind the noise. You have always had the people’s best interest at heart and have done great for your people. One thing you can’t do is please everyone. JUST A BUNCH OF JOKERS….some of them does be right in your face smiling too and then take advantage of being anonymous on the blogs to badtalk you. DONT MIND THE NOISE!!!!
He too honest to be a politician
Too honest????
This is one of the most intelligent minds in the BVI. He is obviously someone who can command a ministry. Good choice for the 6th
current rep is nice, but she can’t get the job done, so I am willing to give him a chance.
This can be big for the 6th district. This guy can command the Big ministry. Now the 6th district have a real fighting chance.
The back benches have plagued the 6th for too long.
I can’t vote for you John but I know you will meet the people halfway.
Thank you BVI News for helping us learn a little bit more about these newer candidates and their political views. Too much media focus is on incumbent politicians, so this helps us make a more informed choice. I look forward to reading about some of the other candidates I don’t really know. Hopefully your journalists will also start asking them some of the tough questions about their plans in relation to specific issues.
As a more general point – the next election is going to be very interesting in terms of newcomers standing. Historically, people standing for election for the first time have struggled against incumbents (often because the newcomers “split the vote” of people who want a change). But I suspect none of the incumbents will be taking newcomers lightly in the next election.
People are still waiting to see exactly how the new party lines shake out – and whether that is two parties or three. But I suspect either way we will see some new faces in new places.
Didn’t he unseated a lady before?
won’t work this time!
This man is for himself…
Washn’t he also permanent secretary in the MC&W, like his fellow compatriot (only a lot longer)
I have known John a long time. He is a good man. he definitely deserves an opportunity!
John coming
Samuel for the sixth, all the way!
Hon. Alvera Maduro-Caines has been elected twice and all we does hear is “I went to my colleagues with it and I am still waiting on a response.” Eight years and nothing to show. I remember when the late Hon. Hodge taught that he was irreplaceable and then the bag lady took him out. Well its time for a change since the bag lady who is on the government side can’t get anything done in our district. I am tired of empty promises for eight years. Enough is enough. Come next election day we going to send a loud and clear message to the NDP. Once their pockets full to hell with everyone else.
I am willing to give Mr. Samuel a chance. Time for a change. Think he will represent us better than Hon. Alvera.
Lies you tell. You had no representation in the 6th before Hon. Maduro-Caines and you didn’t cry out then. So just be quiet now. Anyways all I could see here is the same person blogging with different names.
What Are you Crazy??? How could you diss Omar Hodge, what you know about the 6th district?? smh everything he said about Caines was true anyways.
……. this is sarcasm right? Or a joke?
Omar Hodge was the only person who did anything for the sixth district. He cared about the sixth district. Nobody could have messed with the 6th district when he was in power. May his soul rest in peace.
We need people in the House of Assembly with leadership skills, people who can represent the Virgin Islands locally, regionally and internationally. I believe that John Samuel has the capacity to this. I hope that the people of district 6 will give him a chance. All the best John.
thanks for this.good choice! John has my support. we need a shake up in the 6th and its here!
We are only as strong as our weakest link! District 6, do you realize we are the biggest district in the territory? What do we have to show for it? A “nice” lady who gets NOTHING done? Honourable Caines thanks for the 8 years, but a politician you are NOT!
T
John from your resume alone, you got my vote. Finally we can get things done in the 6th!
Will he divorce us also?
What’s your alternative…stick with the current Representative and get no where?
Personal matters that have no bearing on ones ability to get a job done is off limits so cut the BS.
It’s nice to see new fresh faces, I don’t know him but I don’t see why we can’t give him a chance, we give NDP 8 years and them ain’t do much, full of activities and no productivity, my vote will go to John!
Too long we elect persons because of personal affiliations. The realty is you need persons who can get the job done and best represent their constituents. If the current rep doesn’t achieve these two things the Mr Samuels is worthy of a chance.
We gave Mrs. Caines a chance when we were seeking a change. After 4 years and much was not done in the Community she asked for another 4 years to continue and complete works. It’s almost 8 years people, how much longer do we have to keep hearing excuses from her and the government? Mr. Samuel in my opinion, has the potential to do more based on experience and knowledge. With his expertise in marine just imagine our BVI port right there in Port Purcell being an upscaled facility under his watch. Oh, and not forgetting the Fisherman’s wharf in Baughers Bay being cleaned up and properly functioning and serving it’s purpose. What has it been, 3-4 years now the minister has been literally begging for person’s to remove their properties for her to carry out work. I’ve got 4 votes in my house and we’re giving Mr. Samuel a chance. Hon. Caines has done well enough but seemingly the men steering that party don’t fully supporting the women in that party. Look at district 5. Need I say more?
After eight years she is just realizing this? Your own party members been doing this to you.
https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=29349
Hon. Maduro-Caines is the best representative this district has ever had. She has had so many challenges from slow to no approval of finances for projects, selfish residents trying to badtalk her because of their own personal greed, hurricanes affecting the territory, and the list goes on. What I have come to learn about a lot of BVI voters is that they are all in it for themselves and not for the country. Ignorance and selfishness is always so front and center. Give your country and district the best choice – someone who actually loves their country from the heart. MADURO-CAINES has my support and my family’s support ALL THE WAY!!!!!!
I sense your anguish and pain as persons tear your moms political failures apart. Don’t fret – she is a nice woman just not cut out for politics!! So she can now refocus on her catering and other areas while the REAL work and HEAVY lifting around her is carried out. Y’all failed to realize what that 2nd term for NDP meant – full throttle to drain the tank and top-up their collective pockets. She should’ve had the gonads to stand her ground while her affiliates squandered and made off like BANDITS! So tell mommy lick her wounds and resign quietly and peacefully as the ship she’s on has hit the rocks and used her just to fill the numbers and get ZILCH/ZERO in return for her blind allegiance to the head rats sitting at true table!!
You say she is not cut out for politics because she is not crooked like others. Or is it because she is not willing to get her hands dirty for some of the same voters who just as crooked as the politicians. If there were more people in the legislative council like her this island would be straight. Oh and it’s funny how you think you know who I am. ????????????. That’s a lot of BVI voters problem, they always assuming to know instead of listening and learning something for themselves. Stop letting others tell you what to think and let go of your ignorance too. Thanks in advance.
We have a horse ???? in the race. Now who is the jockey on board?
Big Daddy where you at in or out? Lucky your not saying much? Tahbin still beating that old horse?
White head it looks like you know what you were talking about.
The man is the real deal.
Honourable Caines is a nice lady but she is not cut out for the politics. When it comes to Petty Contracts she gives nothing for Bellvue. Time 4 a Change. Move over Caines cause its Samuel for the 6th. 8yrs and nothing to show. When you campaigning please don’t blame it on Hurricane Irma. Irma can’t save NDP cause the damage was done before September 6.
You too darn lie. I from Belle Vue and got petty contracts from her along with others I know. That’s all some of you about? Your selves. Stop tell lie on the woman man. Some of you want all.. I will not vote for John.. period! And yes, I from Belle Vue.. plus Belle Vue alone cant make him win.
contracts doing what no work was given too anyone in years so what contract you talking about and I’m from Belle Vue also …I did see nooooo work done in purcell, baugher bay and for sure not in belle vue….. only if the contract got is to clean around her house or wash her car… you tell me
Don’t you have more confidence in yourself and don’t you think you deserve more than a “PETTY” contract? How about looking at candidates at your local and national level that would help you gain knowledge and skills that would move you beyond “PETTY CONTRACTS”. Stop settling and attempting to drag others into the small minded cesspool with you.
Raise the bar for yourself, community, and country!
John Samuel come from a family of Integrity. Teacher Joyce Samuel I know have instilled good deeds in her children. We know if elected he will rep us to the best of his ability. He comes from humble people. My family and I are willing to give him a chance as we really need to take out not some but ALL of the NDP Government. No need to leave any behind for they have all been silent when they were to speak up. Honourable Caines is part of the damage done to this country as she goes in the HOA and put nothing on the table to fight for Zone 6. TIME FOR THE A CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT. ALL MUST GO. WE VOTING FOR SAMUEL ON ELECTION DAY FOR ZONE 6!!!!!!
Ok. So is blogger named ‘bvigurl’ maduro-caines?
Is Ha! John Samuel? You see Maduro-Caines actually have supporters. And we don’t have blog as a bunch of different names to look like a lot of supporters like you are for the other guy.
8 eights and no action. Time to shake up the 6th cause Honourable Caines definitely not getting anything done. She is a part of the Government and can’t get nothing done for us. The are 2 women currently in Government and they don’t get anything done. Its obvious that their colleagues are trying to keep them from progressing. Honourable Caine does not have the political spirit to be a politician. She can barely defend us in the House and cannot be sent abroad to speak on our behalf. Nice woman but we need proper representation in Zone6. Its Samuel for the 6th.
And your comment is basically your opinion and not any facts.
@Voter In Zone6 Here in the 9th, the Tourist Zone, we have the same problem as you have in Zone6. As Raphael Stoutt would say: “A real Dean Man” Our Rep, didn’t win his seat. Ralphie just got outta de way and made room for him. His win was his 4th try; and you would have imagined after all that money spent on campaigning, all that effort and then e Win, he would have bargained for better position than Back-bencher. That is after Zone 9 had the premiership, Finance, Speaker of the house.
Please don’t get me wrong. Hon O’Neal is a nice man; a good man, but not a single Political Bone in his body. And he intends to come back pleading like your Rep, begging for another Chance? To do what?
John who? … well sir! You don’t know me and I don’t know you so no X for you. I know who I have in zone6.
I hope you are not trying to speak for the people of BB. At least not all of us. You are one so speak for your self. And I don’t know you either.
John is a very good choice, he the kind of candidate we need for times like these.
NDP supporters…. We have not come for War. We came to Win.
Samuel for the 6th.
John is not a peoples person. He anti————- both he and his family. He now wants votes so all of a sudden he h——. Boy go long. Caines goin run you so far you goin need pampers. Go fix your h— before you come fix district 6.
What do you know about the man’s house? Getting personal is a weak comeback line. It is okay if you are not for a supporter of his but you don’t have to go low. The man has children who I am sure will read the comments.
The original zone6ne
From Belle Vue
Let’s bring him home.
John for the 6th! My vote along with my whole family we here for this.
I happen to consider john Samuels to be an excellent candidate. Can speak because of his track record in Govt which I know well. Definitely displayed all the attributes you would want in the HOA including integrity. Wish he was running at large so I could vote for him cause I cant vote in the 6th. Hon. Canines will definitely be tough as she seems to have Baugher’s Bay and Purcell on lock. Nothing against Hon. Canines but I wish John the very best hope the voters of your district give you a chance
Time for John he maybe a man of few words but has drive know how means and a force we need right now to help move the bvi into new direction.a strong warrior for our front line. True patriot vote John Samuel for progress prosperity and a Virgin Islands we can be proud of. Bvi strong Join a new era of a modern and futuristic Virgin Islands . as the bible says love not in words but deeds.action speaks louder than words. Vip is the way
NDP didn’t fail us, we failed them. We keep voting for popularity and blind loyalty and expect to get things done. Delores told yall she didn’t do much but was begging for another chance and you still voted for her. Archie was just a rubber stamp you still gave him another chance. Pickering although well loved in the East and tied for the longest tenured elected member of the NDP has nothing to show his district for almost 20 years. Mark, a good man but what has he done well? Paving the same roads repeatedly and not realizing that a permanent solution will save millions and keep drivers safe and happy. The Pier Park dilemma speaks for itself. Water still a nightmare because they wanted Biwater to fail so bad so say look VIP did it.
@Hah, You have said more than a mouth full, (as we say). No one has said it any better. With 3 doctors on the NDP team, just Imagine the cutting-edge position our hospital and clinics (health services in general) could have been in. Add to that, having a different, government that truly cared about the people and wanted a better, stronger and thriving BVI. Folks, we don’t have anymore Chances left. This might just be our Last Go Round.
Renown Scientist Albert Einstein, described as Insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome”
why myo so mad tho………let the best speak for themselves….. there is a time and place for everything is life maybe it’s her time to step down…. she van still help put her folks in baughers bay Caz according to u it seems like that’s the only ppl she was helping…..
How people so sure John will get things done hmm.
You see any one at all in any district doing any thing worth while, VIP NDP all is the same dam sh-t they bunch of talks when they do get in is a whole different ball game dont mind the noise.
We know because the current one has done nada.
Love his passion. His views and concerns as a BVIslander. I love how he’s actually have a plan. He sounds like he’s the type of person I’ll vote for if i was in the 6th. I love how he have the people on the block positively on his mind. I wish the 6th all the best.
The lady with the bag aint going nowhere