Skelton not opposed to contesting election but it’s not a priority
Former Deputy Director of the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) Rhodni Skelton said he is not immediately minded to contest the upcoming general elections at this time.
He gave that indication amid speculation that his political aspirations were what caused him to end his approximate 19-year career with the BVITB.
But the the tourism-marketing specialist said in a ZBVI interview this week that his decision to part with the Tourist Board was not politically motivated.
Skelton, however, said he is not ruling out the possibility of running for office altogether and said his history of community service makes politics “a natural progression”.
“So am I against contesting an election whether this one or the next? No I am not. I think the situation needs to be ideal. And I know it will never be a hundred percent ideal but I think it also comes from the will of the people,” Skelton explained.
“Since last week, everywhere I go folks are asking, ‘hey, Rhodni, school children say you’re running. Are you running?‘ And for me, that’s not what I would need to hear. I would need to hear, ‘hey, Rhodni, I think you would be the best person whether in the Fourth District where I vote or whether At Large, and we need someone like you‘. I think it has to come from the community. I am not opposed to it. But as of right now … thats not something I have as my priority,” added the former BVITB executive who is also the son of former legislator and political figure, Ronnie Skelton.
Rhodni, in the meantime, said his focus right now is on some personal projects which includes establishing a beach bar and restaurant. He also noted that he has received offers to lend his professional services to market other jurisdictions in the region.
He said he is still considering whether to accept those offers.
But the the tourism-marketing specialist said in a ZBVI interview this week that his decision to part with the Tourist Board was not politically motivated.
Skelton, however, said he is not ruling out the possibility of running for office altogether and said his history of community service makes politics “a natural progression”.
“So am I against contesting an election whether this one or the next? No I am not. I think the situation needs to be ideal. And I know it will never be a hundred percent ideal but I think it also comes from the will of the people,” Skelton explained.
“Since last week, everywhere I go folks are asking, ‘hey, Rhodni, school children say you’re running. Are you running?‘ And for me, that’s not what I would need to hear. I would need to hear, ‘hey, Rhodni, I think you would be the best person whether in the Fourth District where I vote or whether At Large, and we need someone like you‘. I think it has to come from the community. I am not opposed to it. But as of right now … thats not something I have as my priority,” added the former BVITB executive who is also the son of former legislator and political figure, Ronnie Skelton.
Rhodni, in the meantime, said his focus right now is on some personal projects which includes establishing a beach bar and restaurant. He also noted that he has received offers to lend his professional services to market other jurisdictions in the region.
He said he is still considering whether to accept those offers.
