News

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2003, the shortest piece of legislation to come before the Anguilla House of Assembly in recent days, took a few seconds to be read by the Clerk but the protracted debate lasted for about nine and a half hours on Tuesday, February 4. That is an idea of the depth of the controversy that surrounded it from beginning to end. The members of the House finished that portion of the Order of Business about 9.30 p.m.

Hoteliers and other tourism representatives in the public and private sectors in Anguilla and two representatives of American Airlines have had discussions on the island about the planned withdrawal of the American Eagle ATR-42 aircraft by the end of the year and the need to expand Wallblake Airport to accommodate the ATR-72.

The meeting late last week among hoteliers, other stakeholders in the tourism industry and two top level officials of American Airlines at Paradise Cove resulted in more questions than answers. They met to discuss the planned withdrawal of the American Eagle from Anguilla on December 31 this year and the interim period during which work will be carried out on the expansion of Wallblake Airport. Originally, we heard that the project should be completed by September of that year and then that date was brought forward to March.

The Royal Anguilla Police Force has had a successful week of activities (January 26-February 1) marking its 31st Anniversary since taking over responsibility for law and order from the London Police in January 1972.

The Anguilla Archeological and Historical Society is continuing its plans to construct a historic village at Crocus Hill in an effort to preserve some of the traditional architecture and artifacts which have now given way to modern buildings and household effects. The items are being stored in a container secured for the purpose and kept at the site.

The attention of Anguillians has been drawn to the importance of the island’s upscale tourism industry in a letter to all nationals from Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Osbourne Fleming.

The just-opened polyclinic at Welches, in the eastern end of Anguilla, will be providing a full range of medical, dental and nursing services to residents in that part of the island. The facility has been hailed as a very useful and necessary provision in that part of the island.

The late Victoria (Tota) Smith was one of Anguilla’s early nurses and midwives who served the East End community, in particular, for many years.

I would like to thank KCN for the meal this evening, which I am sure, you would agree, was quite a treat. As a speaker once said “I have already partaken of the meal so if after I have spoken my remarks do not live up to your expectations there is very little you can do about it.”

All Island Cable Television will cover the live broadcast of the Cricket World Cup matches.

The Leeward Islands and Jamaica eventually played to a tame draw in the late afternoon of the final day of their first round encounter in the Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series at the Ronald Webster Park in a sunny Anguilla, but not before Jamaica had assured themselves of gaining the all- important first inning points with a well applied and hard fought effort which saw them to a lead of 87 runs.

Pre-development work is well underway in the Rendezvous/Merrywing area in Anguilla for the construction of a major tourism resort comprising a luxury six-star hotel, a Greg Norman-signature championship golf course, club house and residential homes. The preliminary work includes the building of a plant nursery, access roads and the cutting of the centre line for the 18 golf holes. The project replaces the Sonesta Resort which was purchased by the new developer Flag Luxury Properties. The original buildings have been cleared and the contents largely sold to the public in preparation for demolition.

The prospect of war in Iraq in the near future with US and British troops leading the assault, is not comforting news to anyone. Apart from being aimed at disarming the Middle East country of alleged weapons of mass destruction, the war will have a catastrophic impact on human lives and welfare. Already international financial markets are jittery as the conflict looms closure and once again, like September 11, 2001, the world is being plunged into a state of tension and violence. It seems that we all must look to the prophetic words of the Bible for the answers to the times and events of our day.

In a small society like ours when anybody dies, everybody feels the loss. This is especially so when one of our young people is suddenly snatched from us. I refer in this instance to the sad passing of Loraine Brooks on 13th January while in the service of her country. She was a truly remarkable and wonderful young lady who was always radiant and happy and in so doing made everyone who came into contact with her happy. May she rest in peace. To the members of the bereaved family, including my friend Kimi, I extend heartfelt sympathy.

These days I have been giving thanks and Ises to JAH more than ever for those years of poverty in Jamaica. They have prepared me very well for these days in Anguilla and those to come when more and more of us will be living han’ to mout, buying food as we get a little money and having bills mount as they’ve never mounted before. In a meeting held on Tuesday to discuss youth policy, when I learned that inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison receive free medical attention, I immediately asked the other participants to tell the police where to meet me burning a spliff that afternoon.

Ishaemic heart disease is a major cause of death in many countries including Anguilla. The most common clinical manifestations of ishaemic heart disease are myocardial infarction, sudden death and angina pectoris.

Police in Anguilla are continuing their investigations into the circumstances surrounding the destruction of ten vehicles at Island Car Rental compound at the Cannonball building. The incident occurred on the night of Thursday January 23. The origin of the fire has not been established but it is understood that arson is suspected.

A portrait of the late Anguillian educator, Edison L. Hughes, after whom the Public Library is named, is at last on display inside the building. The painting was done by a practising artist Peter Paul Plank who resides on the island. It was produced from a photograph of Mr. Hughes when he was in his early 20s.

The following article was submitted to The Anguillian for publication.

The opportunity was taken during Police Week to call on the Anguillian community to assist in maintaining the safety and security of the various areas of the island. The call was made by Governor Peter Johnstone and the Acting Police Commissioner Keithly Benjamin in radio broadcasts.