Independent candidates Dancia Penn and Dr. Kedrick Pickering chugged away over the past week with campaigns that included private talks, meet-and-greet sessions, and social media outreach.
On Sunday, for example, Ms. Penn was featured on the Facebook video series “Real Talk with Karia Christopher,” where she spoke of her decision to enter the race.
“My campaign… has a basic theme: country first,” she said. “Part of what I bring to the table is my good name.”
Ms. Penn acknowledged external pressures facing the Virgin Is- lands and said leaders are needed who can speak for the territory when sitting at the table with their counterparts from abroad.
She listed plans including requiring the disclosure of campaign funding and bringing more female parliamentarians to the table, but she did not share any specific proposals that address those issues.
Ms. Penn also held meet-and-greets in Road Town Sunday and in Virgin Gorda on Monday, inviting voters to hear her opinions and share their concerns.
Dr. Pickering
After Dr. Pickering’s official Seventh District launch on Feb. 12, he released new information this week expressing the importance of certain topics on his campaign page.
Among other promises, he stated that if elected he would work for a greener VI and a booming tourism industry.
Describing agri-business as the “greatest potential for building the next economic pillar,” he also outlined plans to integrate technology into VI agriculture.
This step, he said, will help “make the BVI a more resilient and sustainable nation.”
He added that he sees the “potential to lead the world in renewable energy, efficient waste management, sustainable agri-business, and eco-tourism.”
“We can and should be proud to be known as ‘Nature’s Little Secrets,’” Dr. Pickering wrote. “There is no tourism without the environment.”
The candidate is planning a motorcade starting at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Cedar International School parking lot.