Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Jul 04, 2025

Fraser slammed for opposing Parson’s ‘land seizure’ pitch

Fraser slammed for opposing Parson’s ‘land seizure’ pitch

Opposition Leader Julian Fraser has been lambasted for opposing a plan by former legislator Eileene Parsons for the government to forcibly seize land owned by persons at the Ellis Thomas Downs racetrack in Sea Cows Bay.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced months ago that the government was refused access to the Ellis Thomas racetrack after it arrived at an impasse with one of the families which own the property.

But Parsons, who has remained adamant that government should seize the land by ‘eminent domain’ so the government can carry on traditional Boxing Day horse races at the track, alleged that the government is being held hostage by one member of a family involved in the impasse.

What about district funding?

The former legislator alleged that even the statue of Ellis Thomas which fell after the 2017 hurricanes has not been set upright nearly six years later. 

“What surprised me is to hear a member of Council (the House of Assembly), in whose district the track is … they wouldn’t even put back up Mr Ellis’ statue.”

She argued that legislators are allocated $300,000 to execute works in their district and questioned why the statue couldn’t have been fixed from these funds. 

“The roof of the grandstands, why hasn’t that [been] fixed? It is in his area and [he is] talking that he is not going to go along with taking peoples’ land. You should be the one talking to that family and showing them the error of their ways and you should be backing the people of the territory who want to run the races down there,” Parsons said.

In the meantime, Parsons argued that even with income as well as prize money earned on race days, the amount of rental fees currently being requested by one of the families cannot be covered. 

“The kind of money that young lady is asking for, it doesn’t come in on a race day. When you’re going to ask for hundreds of thousands a year, what are you telling the land of your birth? It’s us you are milking’,” Parsons stated. 

Gov’t lacks strength of purpose

Parsons, who called the situation, a blight on the territory, accused the government of not having the strength of purpose to remedy the situation which she said is affecting residents as well as the neighbouring US Virgin Islands (USVI). 

She also argued that the Ellis Thomas Downs track is the only working track in the greater Virgin Islands, and saw both the USVI Governor and Deputy Governor in attendance during the last race day held at the track.

“We have already invested hundreds of thousands of dollars down there and we should not be held hostage,” Parsons protested. “It is being sad that this family was paid down to February next year, then why in the name of Jehoshaphat we can’t be using the track if it was paid for down to that time, and when that time comes you negotiate what is to go on?“
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×