News

The Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Centre, in association with the Ministry of Social Development and its Department of Youth and Culture, launched the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (PAYE) on Tuesday, January 22 at the Teacher’s Resource Centre Auditorium.

The Chairman Dr. Franklin Lloyd and the Directors of the Board of the Health Authority of Anguilla have appointed Darlene A. Baptiste (nee Carty), MA Ed., R.T.T., E.M.T. to serve as Chief Executive Officer of HAA effective 15 January 2008. Prior to accepting this position, she served as the Vice-President for Dynamic Management & Consultants, Inc.

Ralph V. C. Hodge MBE joined the management team at the Anguilla Health Authority as the Finance Manager effective 15th January 2008.

In the photographs, the new potential buyer of Cap Juluca Resort met with Ministers and officials of the Anguilla Government on Wednesday this week.

There is an initial sum in the 2008 budget of 28 million dollars which is a small amount for the huge public sector development programme which the Ministry of Infrastructure in Anguilla is embarking on from this year. That figure can in no way meet the cost of the planned work so the Government will be borrowing the extra money needed to finance the projects.

All around Anguilla there are tell-tale scenes of the Christmas Season. Cheerful decorations and dazzling lights, various social events for adults and children, gift-giving, bulk-shopping, partying, and family reunions are all part of this end-of-the-year-festive season.

Hundreds of island residents and tourists crowded Coronation Ave and the Christmas tree by the trough on Friday December 14 to witness the annual tree lighting ceremony. The event was headlined by other various performances from The All ah Wee Theatre Group, The Anguilla Pepper Steppers and the Energetic Superflies String Band.

The two indigenous commercial banks in Anguilla, the National Bank of Anguilla and the Caribbean Commercial Bank contributed much to the Christmas spirit of giving this week, as part of their community outreach efforts and their continuing social interaction with the public.

It was a rainy and windy evening on Tuesday, December 11, when many invited guests turned out for the 2008 Budget Address by Anguilla’s Minister of Finance, the Hon. Victor Banks, who presented a staggering figure of EC$253 million to finance the public services over the coming year. It was by far the largest ever budget presentation in the island’s House of Assembly which shows the phenomenal economic growth of Anguilla in the 40 years since its 1967 revolution when it broke ties with St. Kitts-Nevis. The Budget Debate is set for Thursday, December 27.

Members of the tourism industry were invited to the Anguilla Great House on Wednesday, December 12 to enjoy a luncheon and learn about the details of a new tourist channel that will be aired on cable TV. Donna Davis, Executive Producer of Eye TV, explained various details of the channel while the attendees enjoy a tasty lunch. Eye TV is a cultural, educational, destination oriented and entertainment channel for the Caribbean islands.

Minister of Social Development, Evans McNeil Rogers, described the new Youth Centre at Blowing Point as a rebirth of community- spirit and community government partnership for national development. He sees it as a model that can be developed throughout the island “so that our young people can use their time productively while building their character, self-esteem, self respect and respect for others.”

Anguilla’s Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, and other officials from the British Overseas Territories, have been told that both Houses of Parliament in London were closely monitoring the affairs of the islands and were very knowledgeable about them.

A disagreement between employees and the Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC) Board, over a demand for five percent of profits as a bonus, which resulted in a strike by some workers, is still unresolved although the employees have returned to work.
The strike occurred on Thursday, November 29, when workers, bearing placards, converged outside the company’s Administrative Building in The Quarter and remained there throughout the day, attracting much attention from the public.

The Tourism Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Zurra Restaurant at the Temenos Golf Clubhouse on Friday, November 30, was a memorable occasion in Anguilla which saw a number of persons awarded for their outstanding service to the industry. Among them was Stephane Zaharia, General Manager of CuisinArt Resort & Spa, the 2007 winner of the coveted “Hotelier of the Year Award.”

The Annual Overseas Territories Consultative Conference involving Ministers and officials from the Overseas Territories and the British Government will be taking place in London next week. The Anguilla Government will be represented by Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming, whose delegation includes Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, Opposition Member Edison Baird, Foster Rogers, Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, and Public Relations Adviser, Curtis Richardson.

The ramp for executive jets flying into Wallblake Airport in Anguilla from the North-eastern United States in particular has been crowded over the past several days. The special occasion was the US Thanksgiving holiday week during which a number of American’s “rich and famous,” including actors and former US Vice President, Al Gore, were guests at various hotels and villas on the island.

A cultural fair, which featured string band music, local foods and preserves, art work and various other items of craft, marked the official opening of Tourism Week in Anguilla on Saturday, November 24, under the theme: The Anguilla Experience: Managing Change. The impressive display was held on the grounds of the Caribbean Commercial Complex in The Valley.

Over 150 persons drawn mainly from the hospitality sector, and to some extent from other places of employment, are now equipped to perform better in their various jobs. The necessary training was provided through the initiatives of the Anguilla Community College Development Unit.

The main and most memorable activity in Anguilla this week was the Third Biennial National Development Conference hosted by Social Security, from Monday to Wednesday, November 12-14, at the Teachers’ Resource Centre. The overall theme of the conference was Anguilla at 40, A Self-Evaluation: Conversations on a Blueprint for Tomorrow.

An Anguillian mother, whose beloved son died following a road accident in the United States, is taking comfort that through the gift of his organs, five other persons can now live.