Columns

Once again I have taken advantage of the opportunity to take my annual vacation but I still remain committed to writing my column and faithful to my loyal readership. Last week I was approached by a number of persons who commented: “You mussa got goat mouth!” Their conclusions were based on the fact that I was “spot on” in my predictions that the Chief Minister would use the slightest delay in the authorization of the budget by the British Government to “provoke panic, alarm, subversion and diversion on the streets and in the prisons”.

With the year barely one week old, last Saturday saw crime in America, once again, marked by a national kind of significance. Let’s not think, “Oh that is America!” “This is Anguilla!” Now, more that ever before, we coexist in one global community. Experience shows that whatever happens in the U.S. affects us immensely. Remember, “When America sneezes, we catch the cold.”

Yes, a great day is coming! In this era of modernization and secularism, in this age of cutting edge technology when the latest craze surrounds such traits as new and fascinating developments in the social media network industry, the majority of people worldwide are pre-occupied with innovative culture-based trends that keep God out of the picture. Everybody seems to be busy creating new fragile relationships and dismantling fickle ones, while they actively pursue fresh waves of pleasure that bring them revived hype and excitement.

Let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011. It is a wish that I sincerely extend to all Anguillians; those who live among us from lands both near and afar; individuals and companies who do business with us; and visitors who come to our shores to savour the many delights of our blessed homeland. All of you contribute in some way to making Anguilla a special place in which to live. We hope that this New Year will be one of deliverance from the many challenges we faced during the past year --- even while we remain mindful of, and grateful for, the many blessings that we received as well!

As the old year comes to a close, it is customary to look back over the events that transpired throughout the year, both individually and collectively as a people – the joys, sorrows, hurts, disappointments, obstacles, accomplishments etc. What is it that stands out in your mind as you reflect?

A month or so ago the ‘Consultation Draft’ for the ‘Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act’ was discussed at a public forum. The ‘draft’ is available on the Anguilla Government’s website. Part of the draft has a section which deals with ‘DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS’. In this article, I will be discussing the “prescribed limits” with regard to alcohol which have been stated in the draft and what this means.

This is my last article for 2010 and it has been a great opportunity, indeed a great privilege, for me to present my views and comments on a number of important national issues during the past year. As with everything in life there will be those who will like what you do and those who won’t. It was never my intention, indeed not even my wish, to please everyone --- that in and of itself is an improbable task. However, being the eternal optimist that I am --- you will notice that I did not say an “impossible” task.

Around this time of year, our attention is usually drawn to the baby that was born many, many years ago in the City of Bethlehem and the circumstances surrounding his birth. He was a peculiar child, one whose birth caused great stir in the hearts of many as they wondered. What child is this?

Let me take this opportunity to wish all Anguillians, residents, visitors and those persons who take the time to read my column every week, the very best for Christmas and the New Year when it comes. 2010 was a most challenging year and we now have the opportunity to reflect on all of our successes and our failures; our deeds and our misdeeds; our correct actions and our mistakes; and our satisfactions and our regrets.

Let me take this opportunity to wish all Anguillians, residents, visitors and those persons who take the time to read my column every week, the very best for Christmas and the New Year when it comes. 2010 was a most challenging year and we now have the opportunity to reflect on all of our successes and our failures; our deeds and our misdeeds; our correct actions and our mistakes; and our satisfactions and our regrets.

This week I am honored to accept a contribution for my weekly column from a good friend and supporter, Mr. Ashton N. Bradley. Mr. Bradley has also been a loyal advisor as well as a former Chairman of the Anguilla Democratic Party that I had the privilege to lead. Mr. Bradley had a distinguished career in finance and particularly revenue systems in Canada before returning to Anguilla some eleven years ago.

We are now in the Advent season, a time in the church’s year when we prepare spiritually for celebrating the birthday of Jesus. This calls us to a time of change, a time to examine ourselves, to look inward and discover those things in our lives that we need to change. This means adding things to our lives to improve ourselves and ridding our lives of things which prevent us from being more like Jesus in our relationships.

In his first budget speech after coming to Office on February 16, 2010, the Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Hubert Hughes, used as his central theme the title: “Operation Recovery”. He claimed that this theme was in keeping with his “much plagiarized” campaign document: “Blueprint for Anguilla’s Recovery and Development”.

Are you looking for fun ways to celebrate the Christmas season aside from the hustle and bustle of shopping, food preparation and the giving of gifts? Well, no need to look any more. Here are some fun ways to celebrate that reflect the true meaning of Christmas:

I have been listening with interest to the various discussions on our financial and economic situation especially at this time when Government of Anguilla is preparing to present its annual budget for 2011. As the immediate past Minister of Finance, I can empathize with the stress that the present Minister and his colleagues are going through --- even though they have not been particularly kind to me during the past twelve months.

A husband and wife travel agents team, Peter and Lella Ciechi, was in Anguilla for the first time and was generally impressed with the beauty of the island and its accommodation facilities.

It is that time of the year when much focus is placed on being thankful. Giving thanks helps us to realize our dependence upon Almighty God and not on ourselves. Being thankful for what you have - big or small - is an important part of receiving new blessings. However, with the downturn in the economy, perhaps you may be saying, “What is there to be thankful for when you are out of a job, the bank is reclaiming your possessions or you cannot meet your financial commitments?”

A few weeks ago the Honourable Chief Minister, Hubert B. Hughes, in his continuing saga with the Governor and the British Government mentioned that he would be studying the new constitutional status that St. Maarten entered into on October 10, 2010. He was referring of course to the fact that the Kingdom of the Netherlands underwent a process of constitutional reform that basically dissolved the Netherlands Antilles (which comprised the Dutch Caribbean territories) to bring into being a new constitutional structure that would grant Curacao and St. Maarten the status of countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The last of these discussions focuses on the “E” in the acronym ANGUILLA PRIDE. It stands for Excellent Endings that include offers of additional assistance, next steps, invitations to return, friendly smiles, and fond farewells; short for “may you fare well”. First and foremost, the conclusion of any purchase, service fully rendered, or guest departure must be as affectionate and helpful as every Greeting.

What do you usually do when faced with challenges? Oftentimes there is the tendency to fret and complain. We tend to think of challenges as big mountains that stand between us and our goals. That might seem like a bad thing at first glance, but do you realize that it is possible to feel grateful for the challenges you face on a daily basis?