Statement By Hon. Mark Vanterpool

September 1^st, 2005

Greetings to all of you wonderful people of the BVI.   This is Honourable Mark Vanterpool speaking,  your representative for the fourth district.  

I wish to inform you my supporters and constituents of the Fourth district, and all of the people of the BVI, that I am thinking about taking a break from my political career, at the end of my service to you in the 15^th Legislature, approximately two years from now.

As a result of this personal decision that I have made, I have elected to refrain from getting involved in any more political campaigns, including the present by-elections.

 I will continue to sit as a Virgin Islands Party member in the Legislature, fighting for the good of the people of the BVI, and the constituents of the Fourth District, until my term is ended two years from now.  My office continues to be open, and I remain fully available to my constituents for the next two years, as I am fully committed to serving you, my people.  

I wish to thank you for allowing me to serve you over the past 6 years, and I promise to continue my dedicated service to you my constituents and my country for the next two years in the 15^th Legislature. 

While I am very comfortable with my personal decision not to get involved in this by-election, I encourage all those involved to refrain from personal attacks, and gutter politics in these last few days before the election and stick to the issues. Dirty campaigns have long remaining scars which are not necessary and can be avoided.  This is a personal lesson that I have learnt, and I will share it with anyone else.  In a way we are a small country and one big family.  Let us try to keep it that way.   Keeping the campaign to a respectable level can only mean well for our relationships and for our country’s well being and growth in the long run.

   In conclusion, I reiterate that I will continue to serve in the 15^th Legislature as a Virgin Islands Party member on the opposition bench.  I intend to take a break from politics after this term, therefore I have made a personal decision not to get involved in any political campaigns at this time.  I trust that my constituents and the BVI public will be understanding in this regard.  I have no ulterior motives.  This is a personal decision that I am very happy and comfortable with. 

Please do your duty and go to the poles on Monday September, 5^th. 

Thank you and may God bless us all.