Feb. 4, 2009 — Mario Francis, newly elected Independent Citizens Movement Territorial Committee chairman, has a strong allegiance to the ICM principles, and he plans to "light the torch" of the party.
"Once, people, especially young people, see that torch is once again lit, they will want to be part of that energy," he said. The torch is the ICM symbol.
The party platform prides itself on "government reform, free of political obligations, to promote political, social and economic well being, free of machine politics."
"First, I like the fact that it's a homegrown party," Francis said. The late "Gov. Cyril King was one of the founders, and it feels pretty good to be a member of his party. And, I like the party's philosophy. It's rigid; it's the only political party that has a written policy."
The party, started in 1968, was a spinoff from the Democratic party, Francis says: "Several people were not satisfied with the way the Democratic Party was heading at the time. They included Virdon Brown, Blanche Cid, Levron 'Pops' Sarauw and Liston Davis. Cyril King was the ICM party's first gubernatorial candidate."
Francis is pleased that the party has a voice in the 28th Legislature.
"We have Senators Usie Richards and Terrence Nelson," he said. "And we have a number of good individuals, former senators Virdon Brown and Liston Davis and Malcolm Callendar."
There is lots of work to be done to rebuild the party's membership, and Francis seems ideally suited for the task ahead if you put store in the old saw, "If you want something done, ask a busy man to do it." He was multitasking long before the phrase was dreamed up; it's second nature to him.
"I like to keep busy," he said.
Francis has plans for how to bring the party back.
"The party used to number in the thousands," he said. "We were second to the Democrats at one point. The membership has fallen away; we need a Virgin Islands recruitment drive. We need the forum of a town meeting to attract the young people."
Francis plans to conduct a series of town meetings to advocate what he sees as a need for change in the government.
"We keep complaining about crime, about education, and we vote the same people back in office," he said. "We have to work a different angle to face these issues."
The ICM will address the territory's chronic problems, working toward improvement of health-care services and an insurance package for all citizens.
"I'm going to keep the pressure on," Francis said. "We need affordable housing, better public transportation. We'll hold the town meetings to address each one of these issues."
Francis is veritable pied piper in leading youngsters to environmental movements. He said he will use that same energy and determination to draw young people into local politics. He is founder and director of the St. Thomas Audubon Society and the Junior Gardening and Ecology Academy, for which he has been honored numerous times, most recently at the 12th Annual Bordeaux Agricultural and Rastafari Fair.
The father of seven grown children said he wants to advocate for better management of the education system. He developed a partnership of parent-teacher organizations on the three islands.
"I went to the national PTA to get us included in the national organization, which we now are," Francis said.
He's determined to keep advocating for change.
"I will be the one driving the ship, and I'm not going to get sidetracked," Francis said.
Other officers of the ICM territorial committee are:
— Shelly Moorhead, vice chairman;
— Al Caesar, treasurer;
— Genevieve Whitaker, secretary;
— Albion Lambertis, sergeant at arms; and
— Sen. Terrence "Positive" Nelson, public relations.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
