News

After all, last week was not the final sitting of the Anguilla House of Assembly as was thought. The budget debate, the main agenda matter, dragged on for about seven days and finally ended on Tuesday afternoon this week. The House approved some one hundred and thirty-five million East Caribbean dollars in total, covering recurrent expenditure and revenue as well as capital expenditure for 2005. The other matters included three pieces of legislation, among which was an amendment to the Election Act.

A seemingly unending line of 52 passengers made their way from the American Eagle Super ATR72 aircraft to the Terminal Building on Tuesday afternoon this week, as it touched down on its first commercial flight to Anguilla since the completion of the extended runway.

In a matter of time the current Anguilla House of Assembly will be dissolved by a Proclamation by the Governor. Those who have enjoyed public office whether in Government or in Opposition will descend from their lofty positions of leadership, influence and privilege. All will be once more equal as they look to the electorate and compete for votes for another term of office.

An Anguillian cricketer, currently handicapped by an injury to his spine, is grateful to many people and organisations for having risen to his assistance and says he is making good progress.

“The Eagle has Landed” is perhaps the second time that the phrase has been used. The first was when Astronaut Neil Armstrong touched down the NASA spacecraft on the surface of the moon in the early 1960s after some anxiety.

The just-completed Wallblake Airport runway has been the scene of a number of executive jet planes over the Christmas and New Year holiday season.

Caribbean Cable Communications in Anguilla, formerly known as Cable TV, has been issued a licence which enables the company to provide all manner of telecommunications except cellular which requires a separate licence.

A country music group from Nashville, Tennessee, is to tour Anguilla from February 19 to 20. This is another festival for the island. It is expected to have the support and appreciation of Anguillians, residents and visitors alike.

Anguilla’s Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Commerce, the Hon. Victor Banks, delivered the Government’s Budget Address in the House of Assembly on Tuesday December 7. The budget calls for an expenditure of $117,265,433 to finance the public services in 2005. Of that amount, $93,940, 433 is to meet recurrent expenditure and the remainder of $23,325,000 is to be spent on capital projects. The 2004 budget amounted to $103,237,948.

One month after Prince Albert of Monaco and Anguilla’s Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, signed an agreement twinning the Yacht Clubs of both islands, a luxury sail boat arrived here from the wealthy Mediterranean isle. Its arrival is seen as a first step to other yachts coming to Anguilla and creating much publicity for the island in the European tourism market.

The extension of the Wallblake Airport runway is set for completion, as the December 17 deadline approaches, despite delays caused by rain and other factors. By the end of this week, it is expected that all of the major earthworks should be completed, leaving the stone and asphalt works to be put into place at the western section of the airstrip.

The Optimist Club of Anguilla has come in for much praise for its Second Annual Race Against AIDS to create an awareness among the youth in particular about the disease.

Anguilla, a thriving up-market tourism destination, this week welcomed to its shores His Serene Highness, Prince Albert of Monaco, a tiny but wealthy island on the French Reviera. The Royal visitor, who was on a tour of the United States and the Dutch Caribbean, came to Anguilla at the invitation of Chief Minister the Hon. Osbourne Fleming. His visit here was part of a developing relationship between the two islands.

It is something special about Anguilla when an American couple, making a lot of money at home, fall in love with the island, sell their investments and come to live, invest and work here. So is the case with Jason Howe and his wife, Robin.

The title of Dame has now been bestowed on Anguillian lawyer, Miss Bernice Lake, QC. She was given the honour by the Antigua and Barbuda Government in the national honours as that state observed its 23rd Anniversary of independence on Monday this week.

Storyteller Motivates Workers

The re-opening of Cap Juluca Resort and Spa for the 2004/2005 tourism season was marked by an appreciation awards presentation ceremony for workers in its various departments and a motivational address by storyteller, Paul Keens-Douglas.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has ended its observance of Financial Literacy Month in October.

Cable & Wireless celebrated a double anniversary of service both to the people of Anguilla and Cable & Wireless customers throughout the region, on October 29, 2004.

The Supervisor of Elections, Mr Colville Petty, has issued a press release advising all political parties, prospective candidates and other interested persons, that the Executive Council has approved a revised schedule of electoral symbols for elections in Anguilla.

The Anguilla Philatelic Bureau at the General Post Office continues to focus on both international and domestic stamp themes which have influenced and helped to shape the development of our country. Presented are four of the more recent issues released to date on the bureau’s 2004 stamp agenda.