Dancia Penn said there could be a whole new Eighth District if she has her way. The D-8 representative, deputy premier and minister of health and social development said at her campaign launch Monday night that she wants to improve the Red Bay wharf, the Trellis Bay ferry dock and the Fat Hogs Bay Harbour.

“I have many plans for this country and this district,” she said.

Development along the waterfront in East End, a “fishing hub” for eastern Tortola, has been progressing in some areas behind the scenes, Ms. Penn said.

Additionally, “much work has been done” on the Fat Hogs Bay Harbour project, she said, citing “consultations” with East End residents. “We know the importance of that project to the future social and economic development of our community,” Ms. Penn said.

Ms. Penn has also made progress on the Red Bay wharf, she said.

“I have been able to have plans drawn, designs done,” the deputy premier said, adding, “Cabinet some weeks ago actually approved contractors to begin the development works at the Red Bay wharf.”

She said that it has been 16 years since any work has been done on the wharf, which has “been there a long time.” When it’s finished, the wharf will include modern amenities such as lights and electrical outlets, Ms. Penn said.

“Trellis Bay needs a lot of work, and we will be going to Trellis Bay and doing work on the ferry terminal in the next term,” Ms. Penn said.

Residents can also expect more progress on the East End/Long Look sewerage project, according to the candidate.

“Work starts again today on the sewage project at Hawk’s Nest Road,” she said, adding that public restrooms are planned for Long Bay, Beef Island, as are sidewalks in East End.

Ms. Penn said she and the other VIP members are the “experienced leadership” that residents need representing them in talks with the United Kingdom, especially during talks leading to the upcoming new white paper.

“They have said that they want a new relationship with the territories,” she said.

“One of the proposals is that we are going to have to send our draft budget to London every year two months before we can pass it in our House of Assembly here,” Ms. Penn said, adding that this kind of pre-approval has not been required since the territory came out of its “grant-in-aid” stage in 1977.

Other plans

Ms. Penn announced a plan to develop a land bank for residents, especially first-time homeowners. Under the plan, the government will buy a large parcel of land, divide it, and sell it to residents who don’t own land.

Land ownership is “part of our heritage,” Ms. Penn said. She added that 10 parcels of land have been “found” for Eighth District residents.

Ms. Penn said she wants to see the district revise its “crafts” sector, which was a “thriving cottage industry” in her youth, and has the potential to help the tourism sector.

There should also be “more certainty and predictability in how bush cutting work is done,” Ms. Penn said. She advocated for erecting statues of some of the territory’s leaders, such as Willard Wheatley and Francis Lettsome.

‘Distinguished career’

When he introduced her, Premier Ralph O’Neal said Ms. Penn has had a “distinguished career.” She qualified as an attorney in 1981 and was appointed Queen’s counsel in 1996. She served as attorney general of the territory from 1992 to 1999, and as deputy governor during 2006.

“I can tell you in the national assembly, she has represented District Eight extremely good,” Mr. O’Neal said. He contrasted that record with other candidates for the Nov. 7 election, who he described as not “serious.”

“It comes to some people like they have thing for playtime. It is not serious anymore,” Mr. O’Neal said. “But now is the time to get some serious, sober people in the national assembly. It’s getting more and more difficult in the British Virgin Islands.”