At the launch attended by approximately 50 supporters, Vanterpool spoke on a number of issues she would like to champion if elected, including the standard of living in the territory.

VI is a ‘rich country but…’

“Looking in from the outside, one can easily conclude that the VI is a ‘rich country’ but the ‘richness’ of this country in my opinion is skewed," Vanterpool stated.

According to the At Large candidate, the VI’s financial services industry, though relatively new when compared to tourism, has catapulted the VI to what can be dubbed as one of the Caribbean’s superpowers.

She pointed out that very recently it was stated the [British] Virgin Islands is home to a globally respected international business and finance centre, facilitating an estimated $1.4 trillion in cross-border trade and investment.

"This, ladies and gentlemen, plays a very vital role in the economy of our Virgin Islands and an exponential amount of revenue for our territory. Yet, when we look around, this revenue is not distributed evenly to give us a better standard of living.

“Our GDP [Gross Domestic Product], as I understand it, is in the billions. This is the cost of final goods in a country. If you look at this and decipher the figures, it says that the cost to obtain goods and services in this country is extremely high.”

‘Now is the right time’- Vanterpool

Ms Vanterpool, speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) last month, said her elections bid was about seven years in the making, since attending university, and that through prayers and guidance from God, she felt now is the right time to come forward and serve the country in elected office.

The Independent At Large candidate has a BsC in Business Management, Associate [Degree] in Business Administration, Associate in Accounting, and an Associate in Construction Technology with some 28 plus years of experience in the telecommunications industry, going all the way back to Cable and Wireless.

Meanwhile, two other Independent candidates were afforded a moment on Vanterpool's stage; Ninth District Candidate Vernon Vanterpool and At Large Candidate Daniel F. Davies.