BVI News

Vanterpool seeks HOA exemption for leasing office to gov’t

Mark Vanterpool

Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool is expected to seek an exemption from having to vacate his seat in the House of Assembly for entering into business with the government.

According to Section 67 of the Virgin Islands Constitution, HOA members are expected to vacate their seat in the HOA if they or their firm are party to a contract with the government. However, a clause in the same law allows for an exemption if the member discloses the nature of the contract and their interest “before becoming a party to a contract, or before or as soon as practicable after becoming interested” in the contract with the government.

But according to the order paper for the upcoming House sitting on Thursday, Vanterpool is a Director in Shoreside East Development Limited. This company reportedly purchased a government-rented building located at Lower Estate in Road Town. It was purchased from Maddog Limited in November 2021.

At the time of the purchase, Maddog had leased the third floor of the building to government for a period of two years, which commenced in May 2020.

The remainder of the current lease, the order paper said, is expected to be transferred to Shoreside.

The order paper further stated that the company is in the process of negotiating with the government to lease additional space in the same building.

The upcoming motion to exempt Vanterpool discloses to the HOA the transfer of the property, the existing lease, and the interest of Vanterpool in the transfer by virtue of being a director of the company.

Deputy Speaker to seek exemption as well

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Neville Smith will also be seeking exemption once again from vacating his House seat after his company, Caribbean Security, inked another contract with the government.

The company, the order paper said, is desirous of entering into a contract with the government for upgrades to the Attorney General’s Chambers’ security system including the Access Control System and installation of a PA System for a total sum of $33,149.12.

It was further noted that the formal contract is in the process of being drafted.

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16 Comments

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  1. conflict of interest says:

    Brothers in the club looking out for each other…When will this madness end?

    Like 34
    Dislike 1
  2. greed will be the downfall says:

    This reminds me of the great feast

    Like 22
    Dislike 1
  3. Young Concerned Citizen says:

    Has there ever been a day when there has been refusal of exemption. I believe a third party should be vetting these decisions and granting or disapproving exemptions. If you have external business ventures, how effective are you going to be representing the country or your district? Is it through their daily dealings with the peoples work that they have insider information to be targeting certain government contracts? There needs to me limits set as to the number of government contracts a minister or district representative can be awarded and still hold office and the cap on the amounts awarded. Are you in office to get richer or to help the country/the people? I believe they need to vacate their seats.

    Like 30
    Dislike 1
  4. Pig says:

    You set a fools so politically they must not feed their family because they got elected?

    Too much hate and jealousy

    Like 7
    Dislike 23
    • crazy says:

      You must b e crazy. Some of us not even working for as much money they getting for being elected. We have families to feed to. and rent to pay. we getting by so why we have to see them getting exemptions on top of exemptions,

      Like 13
      • Yuh really crazy says:

        Do you know how much elected officials are paid? So they must drop their other businesses because they are elected yet some of you have two and three jobs to support your family and habits. They have obligations too.

        Like 1
        Dislike 7
  5. Different Day says:

    Same nonsense.

  6. greedy bunch says:

    Both sheep and mark only looking out for themselves

    Like 11
    Dislike 2
    • Who are you looking out for? says:

      They are only looking out for themselves but they constantly have to give you and others hand-outs. If you look out for yourself they can keep their hand-outs. I am tired of you people dissing representatives and begging them at the same time. You all are too envious and bad-minded.

      Like 1
      Dislike 8
      • Okay says:

        And this makes it right with what they’re doing? We will never get this place fixed with this type of thinking – NEVER.

    • SMH says:

      da security installation could have been given to a MicroAntix, young man trying to make it. Sheep bread done butter several times over.

  7. KLM says:

    @Pig, You are the fool they have a job and get paid I am sure they make a more than a lot of us.

    Like 4
    Dislike 1
  8. To Governor of the Virgin Islands says:

    Mark has always borrowed money to buy properties. For some reason he now seems to have enough money to buy several commercial properties, build a new super market and buy several lots in Lambert beach. It very likely that his supermarket is being used for *** la**dering. Can someone look into this?

    Concerned BVI Citizen

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  9. 33k says:

    33k for a panic attack system and an access system. 10k maximum anywhere else in the world. Insane. They are ROBBING US, WE THE PEOPLE OF THE BVI MUST NOT LET THIS CONTINUE

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