Candidate: Percival “Tahemah” Edwards
Age: 45 D/O/B: 5/19/62 District: Frederiksted
Education: University of the Virgin Islands, some courses
St. Croix Central High School, Diploma (1980)
Employment: I have worked consistently since my graduation in 1980 in the public and private sector, and am currently employed by the Department of Education as a school monitor at the St. Croix Education Complex.
Community Leadership: I am a founder and the President of the St. Croix Farmers in Action, Inc. (1997 – present); coordinator of the Bethlehem Sugar Factory Restoration Project (2001-present); a member of the Board of the Humanities Council (2006- present); a member of the University of the Virgin Islands’ Agriculture Experiment Service Advisory Boards (2004-present); and serve on the Conservation District Board (2004-present) and the University of the Virgin Islands Public and Research Advisory Committee (2005-present). I am a Farmer, Culturalist, Preservationist and Historian at heart.
Why do I want to be a Delegate and what do I have to Offer: I want our islands to change for the betterment of all of our people. The document that will be the backbone of change is our Constitution. Almost all neighboring Caribbean Islands and US territories have addressed their Constitution. We too must accept the challenge, and take the first step toward greater autonomy. I offer myself as a delegate to facilitate that change.
I have an in-depth knowledge of the 90 years of Virgin Islands historical documents, which govern our relations with the United States and define our government, social and political structures. I have also studied the governing documents of the United States, its overseas territories and other Caribbean countries. I offer the people of the Virgin Islands ideas and perspectives based upon research and not guess work, self-centered interests or a misunderstanding of the importance of our historical documents.
Important Issues for the 5th Constitution Convention:
1. Municipal Government – We need to insure greater representation and accountability.
2. Agriculture Authority – Food security must be a priority.
3. Citizenship – We must not be afraid to define who we are. The 1927 Act Conferring US Citizenship, which remains current law, is an excellent place to start.
4. Bill of Rights – Ensure equal rights, fair treatment and justice for all residents of the Virgin Islands, particularly without regard to economic status.
5. Defining our Territorial Symbols – Our Virgin Islands flag should be changed to eliminate the symbols of Navy Rule.
6. Cultural, Historic & Environmental Preservation – We have an island culture and history that is uniquely our own–preserve it. Our pristine environment must also be protected. Once lost… gone forever.
7. Legislative & Tax Reform – Update of tax laws, some dating back to as early as the 1917: excise tax, property tax, income tax, road tax, gross receipt tax, sales tax, customs tax, rum tax, cigarette tax, liquor tax. Also, impose accountability requirements on legislators, to include but not limited to ability to set their own salaries.
